Kokiri Cres house ‘needs to come down’
Kokiri Cres residents want the house where Pita Tekira died demolished before it’s burned down.
The house, at 26a Kokiri Cres, where Tekira shot and killed police dog Gazza, was destroyed on May 2 in a fire the police are treating as suspicious.
Now, Kokiri Cres residents say it’s only a matter of time before the house at 13b Kokiri Cres, where Tekira died, goes up in flames.
Liz Makalio from Wellesley Community Action Group, said residents were taking turns to watch the house at night.
‘‘The residents feel they’re just waiting for the house to burn.
‘‘The house needs to come down.
‘‘Why should these people be waiting?’’
Makalio organised a meeting for residents last week and said it was clear what people were asking for.
‘‘They want the house down and then they want to be left alone.’’
Chrissy Leggott, who lives in Kokiri Cres, said the house needed to be demolished so people could move on with their lives.
‘‘Until it’s gone there will be no rest,’’ she said. ‘‘The residents are petrified.’’
Leggott said the house was in danger of becoming a shrine to the man who died there.
‘‘He was laid to rest, now it’s time to do the same to the house.’’
The house is owned by Housing New Zealand and is vacant.
Kathy Furfie, Housing New Zealand’s area manager, said the organisation was working with the police.
She said there was an increased police presence in Kokiri Cres and the police were doing regular patrols.
Furfie said the house at 13b Kokiri Cres was being tested for contamination.
‘‘We will use the results and the views of community when we consider the future of the property,’’ she said.
Kris Faafoi, Mana MP, said agencies needed to get around the people who live in Kokiri Cres.
‘‘They seriously fear for their safety,’’ he said. ‘‘I understand there are kids who are traumatised and people are fragile.’’
Faafoi said he was aware people visiting the street to take photos.
‘‘People need to act with compassion. This isn’t the place to take selfies.’’