'Exemplary' citizen sentenced for causing death of motorcyclist

Witika Wharerau appeared in the Rotorua District Council for sentencing on charges of careless driving causing death. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A Rotorua man described as an "exemplary leader" by late kaumatua Fred Whata and as an asset to his community by a judge has been convicted of careless driving causing death.

Witika Wharerau, 47, was sentenced by Judge Chris McGuire in Rotorua District Court yesterday, after previously pleading guilty to the charge in relation to the death of motorcyclist Steven Ioane in March.

Wharerau was disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to pay emotional harm reparation of $4500 to the Ioane family.

According to the summary of facts, Wharerau was reversing from his driveway about 5.30am on March 2 when he failed to see Mr Ioane riding his motorcycle along Ngongotaha Rd, heading toward Rotorua.

Mr Ioane crashed into the back of Wharerau's truck, sustaining severe head injuries.

The 30-year-old was rushed to Rotorua Hospital where he was put on life support. It was turned off on March 4.

At the start of the sentencing, defence lawyer Annette Sykes gave a mihi to the Ioane family, on behalf of the Wharerau whanau, expressing their compassion and contrition.

She said Wharerau was a "man of his community, supported by his community".

In a character reference written before his recent death, Mr Whata said Wharerau was a reliable and trustworthy man who was always polite and humble.

He said Wharerau represented to him "the best of what the next generation has to offer" whose "positive leadership with people is exemplary".

Steve Ioane with his two daughters Pearl Ioane Edwards, now 9, and Promise Ioane Edwards, now 11. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Ms Sykes said the case had been one of the most difficult she had confronted this year and asked for "compassion and mercy" from the court.

In her victim impact statement Mr Ioane's partner said her "whole life had been ripped away".

She said she saw Wharerau as someone who had taken her partner's life and torn her life apart.

A statement from Mr Ioane's mother was also read in part to the court.

She said she had found it "extremely difficult" to function normally and kept expecting her son to show up.

"Nothing will ever be the same, I will never be the same without Steven."

Judge McGuire applauded both families for engaging in a restorative justice meeting, saying he was "convinced beyond all shadow of doubt that as sad and difficult as it may be, the outcome for all is always better".

"All of us have at some stage made mistakes on the road that we've got away with but tragically this was not your case.

"One of the hardest things being a judge is having thoroughly worthwhile people standing in the dock after a tragedy.

"It is clear [Wharerau] is an absolute asset to the hapu and wider community ... It is not often one sees the sort of testimonies that have been presented to the court in support of you."

Outside court, John Ioane spoke of his son, a "good person" whose life was "just falling into place" when he was taken.

"His death was one of those tragic things that you would have never expected to happen. There's nothing you can do about it.

"It was a horrible feeling having police knocking on your door at that time of the morning but it was an accident."

He said his son was "right into his music" and doted on his two daughters.

"He was into his rapping, his rapping name was Remedy and he was always practising and getting better every day.

"Steve loved his two beautiful girls so much. They were his world, he was always telling me about them. They were everything to him. We just want them to grow up still remembering their dad and knowing how proud he was of them.

"He wanted to be a police officer and had his qualifications all lined up, everything was falling into place for him."

John Ioane said he harboured no anger toward Wharerau and just wanted to move on.

"I know Witika has been feeling real bad since all of this happened. We are in contact now and again and it has always been friendly, I was never angry at him."