Latest news with #Flaxmere
RNZ News
7 days ago
- RNZ News
Man charged with murder over cold-case killing of Hawke's Bay father Eddie Peters
Eddie Peters was was beaten and left for dead in Flaxmere in 2018. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police A man has been charged with murder over the cold-case killing of a Hawke's Bay father nearly seven years ago. A 29-year-old Hastings man was arrested for the murder of 45-year-old Eddie Peters, who was beaten and left for dead in Flaxmere in 2018. "In the early hours of Friday 16 November 2018, Eddie was viciously beaten and left for dead on the driveway of a home on Diaz Drive in Flaxmere," said Detective Inspector Dave de Lange. "He was hospitalised, but despite the best efforts and care of medical staff, he sadly died at Wellington Hospital on 24 November." Police said they were able to piece together the tragic events of that night thanks to the assistance from members of the Hastings community. "What happened to Eddie was terrible, and the investigation team has remained focused on establishing exactly what happened, for Eddie's whanau and friends," de Lange said. "The arrest brings some satisfaction, but I believe there are still more people out in the community who know what happened and can further assist the investigation." The 29-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman were also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, in relation to the murder investigation. He will appear in the Hastings District Court this afternoon and police are urging anyone with anymore information to contact them. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- RNZ News
'Four years is nothing': Grieving family of Emma-Jane Kupa fight for higher prison sentence
Emma-Jane Kupa, 11, was killed in January. Photo: SUPPLIED The family of a young girl who was killed by a drunk speeding driver high on meth have launched a petition appealing for a higher prison sentence. Mother of five Terina Pineaha, 34, fatally hit 11-year-old Emma-Jane Kupa with her car in January. Emma-Jane was biking to a dairy in Flaxmere, Hawke's Bay with her sister to spend her pocket money when she was killed. On Friday, Pineaha was sentenced to four years and five months in prison in the High Court at Napier. Pineaha previously admitted to a raft of charges including manslaughter, consuming methamphetamine, wilful damage, driving with excess breath alcohol, dangerous driving and failing to stop. Terina Pineaha during an earlier court appearance. Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook Emma-Jane's family were devastated Pineaha was not jailed for longer, and some family members walked out of court saying it was "bullshit". Emma-Jane's mother, Shannon Davis, told RNZ the family launched a petition because they felt four years was not enough time to pay for the life of their little girl. "She was taken by a woman who had 29 convictions. "It's pretty much saying it's okay to drink drive, be on meth, be on the wrong side of the road speeding... take a young girl's life and you're only going to get four and a half years," she said. Emma-Jane Kupa was killed on the Chatham Rd crossing in Flaxmere. Photo: SUPPLIED A victim's family can not appeal a sentence, but the Crown can, and the petition was calling for action. "We ask the Crown to appeal this sentence. Emma-Jane's life mattered. Her family is broken, and our community deserves justice. "Please stand with us and demand the sentence be increased to better reflect the seriousness of the crime and protect future tamariki," the petition said. The petition had already gathered more than 2000 signatures. Emma-Jane Kupa's parents, Shannon Davis and George Kupa with photographs of their daughter. Photo: SUPPLIED Davis said they were hopeful there was a case for Pineaha's sentence to be increased. "We want anyone to re-look at it and fight for us. My baby didn't have a voice so I have to be hers. "It should be life for life. Four years is nothing." Davis said the whānau's fight for a higher prison sentence was also for others who had lost loved ones at the hands of a drunk driver. "It's not just for my daughter, it's for all the other young kids that have lost their lives to unreliable people who want to drink and drive. "Hopefully Aotearoa listens, help by signing this petition and raise awareness that it is serious." In May, the court heard how on 30 January, Pineaha was driving to the home of the woman she was convinced was sleeping with her partner when she fatally ploughed into the young girl, who was biking with her sister to the dairy. Just before the crash, Pineaha's car reached estimated speeds of up to 105 kph in a 50 kph zone. Shortly after the car's speed was recorded, she struck the 11-year-old on the Chatham Rd crossing in Flaxmere. Emma-Jane was cycling behind her 15-year-old sister, who was on a scooter, on their way to the dairy on Scott Drive. The impact threw Emma-Jane into the air, before she landed 25 metres away on a grass verge, beside Ron Giorgi Park. Pineaha's borrowed Holden Vectra slid on the wet road over the footpath and grass verge, striking 10 wooden posts on a chain fence before coming to a stop. A pedestrian approaching the crossing just before the crash felt the wind from Pineaha's car as it passed him. Members of the public rushed to Emma-Jane's aid, performing CPR until emergency services arrived. But she could not be revived, and died at the scene from head injuries. Emma-Jane Kupa died from head injuries after being hit by a car. Photo: SUPPLIED Emma-Jane's mother told the court on Friday how the traumatic event would live with them forever, especially her older daughter Saige, who witnessed the whole thing. "The sight and sound of your car striking her sister and watching her body get thrown into the air will be forever etched into her memory. "What gives you the right to take my baby's life? And further, inflict trauma on my other baby Saige?" Shannon Davis said to Pineaha in court. The court heard at the time of the incident, Pineaha was serving a one-year sentence of supervision for possessing methamphetamine and other charges. She was also convicted of possessing methamphetamine in 2018. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
20-07-2025
- RNZ News
Police ask public for help in finding Haami Hanara, who had murder conviction quashed as a teen
Haami Hanara. Photo: Supplied/Police Police are asking the public for help to find 21-year-old Haami Hanara, who was only 14 when he was sentenced to life for the murder of homeless man Kelly Donner . Hanara appealed his conviction in 2022 and later admitted to a manslaughter charge. He was released in 2023. A police spokesperson said Hanara has a warrant out for arrest and should not be approached. Hanara is 168cm tall, of medium build and has a cast on his right arm. Police said they believed he was in Flaxmere, Hastings. If sighted call 111 immediately, they said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- RNZ News
Terina Pineaha, who killed young cyclist while driving drunk and high, jailed
Terina Pineaha at Napier High Court. Photo: RNZ / Alexa Cook A woman who hit and killed a young girl while drunk and high on methamphetamine has been sentenced to four years and five months in prison. Terina Pineaha fatally hit 11-year-old Emma-Jane Kupa with her car while the girl was biking to a dairy in Flaxmere, Hawke's Bay, in January. In May, the 34-year-old mother of five admitted to a raft of charges , including manslaughter, and was on Friday was sentenced in the Napier High Court. More to come… Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- RNZ News
Person in a serious condition after possible stabbing, police say
(File photo) Photo: 123RF One person is in hospital after reports of a stabbing in Hastings. Emergency services were called to 'disorder' at a property on Folkestone Drive in the suburb of Flaxmere, about 9am on Friday. One person with possible stab wounds was taken to hospital in a serious condition, while another at the scene was taken into custody. Police said initial enquiries indicate they are known to each other and there is no risk to the public. A police spokesperson said there would be an increased police presence in the area during the investigation. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
