Grieving mother pleads for answers

Rangimaria White loved kapa haka.

A mother's love was written all over Carlene Davis' face as she described her loud, loving and clever daughter.

At a press conference in Whakatane yesterday, Ms Davis and Detective Sergeant Ant Hay made a plea for information relating to 14-year-old Rangimaria White's death.

Rangimaria was found unconscious on Goring St in Opotiki about 3.45am on June 26 and attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful. Police believe she had been lying on the road and was struck by a car. The driver did not stop.

Carlene Davis hopes to find the answers to her daughter's death.

Mr Hay described the police investigation, named Operation White, as still very much active and said he believed someone in the community was aware of the events of July 25/26 - the night of the Opotiki College ball.

"We must thank the Opotiki community for what they have provided to us to date, but we are asking for more information so the driver of the car that struck Rangimaria on Goring St can be located," Mr Hay said.

"We want to be able to provide the answers to Carlene and her whanau."

Mr Hay said police had inspected a number of vehicles but there was no evidence any were involved in the incident.

He said police had "their minds open" as to whether the driver knew they had done anything wrong.

"If they are aware of what has happened, we are sure it will be playing on their mind and the one way to release the burden is to come and talk to us."

He said, as a result of police investigations so far, two women from Opotiki had been charged with supplying alcohol to a minor and would be appearing in the Opotiki District Court. A third women had also been warned.

Rangimaria, who would have celebrated her 15th birthday this weekend, was described as a "happy and bubbly person" by her mother.

"She had a very powerful voice, she loved to sing, she loved kapa haka and she had an ear for music," Ms Davis said. "She liked to do her best in everything she turned her hand to and she was academically clever."

Speaking through tears and smiles, Ms Davis said her daughter was fluent in te reo Maori, was exceptionally bright in mathematics and had been the top Year 10 student at Edgecumbe College.

Ms Davis said although Rangimaria had only been at the college for six months a memorial garden and kauri tree were to be planted in her honour.

"It makes me pretty proud to think she had made that much of an impact in the short time she had been there."

Students and teachers from Rangimaria's primary school Te Kura Mana Maori o Maraenui, had written a song for the youngster and will be performing it at the Delamere Cup kapa haka competition tomorrow.

Ms Davis said her daughter had been extremely close to her biological brother and whangai sister, who were also seeking answers.

"Any death is hard to get over, actually I'll never get over this. But some answers would help us with our grief."