Moko death a catalyst for change

Palmerston North people are signing on the dotted line in a petition aiming to strengthen laws around child abuse.

Sensible Sentencing Trust volunteers are collecting signatures for a petition that is using the death of toddler Moko Rangitoheriri as a catalyst to change New Zealand law.

Moko Rangitoheriri, a 3-year old, died in August 2015 after being badly beaten and abused by his carers.

David Haerewa, 45, and Tania Shailer, 26, were sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter — the highest sentence imposed in New Zealand for the manslaughter of a child.

SST volunteer Jas Fisher said the laws need to be strengthened to ensure harsher punishments for child abusers.

The current justice system allowed for back-door deals and plea bargains. These loop holes needed to change, she said.

‘‘There is no excuse for hurting a child, no excuse at all.’’

On Thursday Fisher and Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth Mcvicar collected signatures in Main St, in Palmerston North.

Fisher said there was a huge, positive public reaction towards the petition, as many people were familiar with the Moko abuse case.

Between May and June, marches against child abuse took place across the country, including in Palmerston North and Pahiatua.

Fisher said she had a 1-year-old grandson who was the light of her life. She was fighting to strengthen the laws for him, his generation and the future generations of New Zealand.

Mcvicar said the Moko case was going to be the catalyst for changing pleas and making laws robust in New Zealand.

‘‘We can’t do anything about what happened to Moko. But we can look forward to the future and make change there.’’

The nationwide petition will go to Parliament on September 15.