Step-father guilty of killing toddler

Tamehana Huata’s rage at little Matiu Wereta’s objection to being showered is probably what led to him to lash out and kill.

The 14kg toddler was an energetic, rambunctious, healthy and happy boy over his 21⁄ year life.

But he didn’t like being showered, his mother Eranna Tiopira told the jury during the two-week trial of her partner Tamehana Huata.

Matiu so hated being showered that he would squirm and flail his arms and legs, she told the High Court in Napier.

Huata’s inability to deal with that likely led to Matiu’s death.

Huata, 19, was yesterday found guilty of manslaughter and injuring Matiu on the morning of October 12, 2015.

Huata had been in a relationship with the toddler’s mother, Eranna Tiopira, for several months.

She referred to him as Matiu’s step-father and said during Huata’s two-week trial that he and Matiu had a close, loving relationship.

Tiopira is still in a relationship with Huata, and is five months pregnant with his child.

She left her Hasting shome for work at 8.45 that morning. Matiu and Huata were both feeling sick so were staying at home.

When she left the house Matiu was fine. When Huata text messaged her at 10.17am to say he and Matiu were having a shower, he was still fine.

But when Huata rang her at 10.51am he told her Matiu was unconscious and unresponsive.

Tiopira rushed home. An ambulance was called. Matiu was rushed to hospital with a severe head injury but could not be saved.

Huata was remanded in custody for sentencing next month.