Taranaki based suicide prevention advocate dies

Tama Eminukutepua at the AMP Scholarship Awards last year.

The Taranaki father who collapsed and died after a fight with his son on Saturday was well-known suicide prevention advocate Tama Eminukutepua.

Eminukutepua, 57, collapsed after an altercation with his son outside a property on Pukatea St in Inglewood.

Police were called to the property about 7.30pm after reports of two men fighting, and although Eminukutepua was treated by an ambulance, he died at the scene about 8.30pm.

Friends and family of Eminukutepua have taken to social media to place tributes for the man who was the national chairman of Aotearoa Riders Against Teen Suicide — or R.A.T.S.

He was also the founder of the Taranaki Suicide Prevention Crisis Response.

A post on the Hawkes Bay R.A.T.S Facebook page sent a "huge mihi out to the Eminukutepua whanau" and said it was a very sad occasion.

Northland RATS board chair Hone Mihaka said he would be greatly missed.

"He was a mover and shaker in the movement in terms of raising awareness around suicide and he made a hell of a lot of things happen in Taranaki.

"He was a great leader of the movement and had the support of all of the regions," he said. "He had himself been through the hard times in life and had seen the horrors of life, so he wanted to contribute to changing the future.

There won't be another Tama, that is for sure. He brought a lot of people together and highlighted a lot of issues around suicide. He was a great New Zealander."

Mihaka said the loss of Eminukutepua will have a huge impact on the RATS community.

"I can say for and on behalf of the Aotearoa RATS that a great tree has fallen from the midst of the forest, and the loss of that tree will indeed be felt throughout the forest.

"I encourage all people that knew Tama to have courage and support one another during this time."

Eminukutepua won a $10,000 AMP National Scholarship last year for his work in mental health and driving after-hours support to reduce suicide. Eminukutepua was also founding president of the United People's Movement NZ.

Current party president James Falepau Upm said he was a very integral part of the movement.

"The hours upon hours of work that went in by this man to help shape the foundation of the movement will never be forgotten."

Suicide prevention advocate Mike King said he'd only caught up with Eminukutepua on Tuesday and was gutted to hear of his death.

"I was with him on Tuesday. Absolutely salt of the earth guy. Sad loss."

Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Skoglund said on Sunday that police are making inquiries on behalf of the coroner following the death.

"Police have spoken to the people involved and witnesses, and are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident. Arrangements for a post mortem are underway."