‘In the care of monsters’
The woman entrusted with the care of five-year-old Malachi Subecz has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his murder, with a minimum nonparole period of 17 years.
It was offending Justice Paul Davison said was ‘‘bereft of any humanity whatsoever . . . nothing less than torture’’.
Michaela Barriball, 27, was sentenced at the High Court in Rotorua yesterday after pleading guilty to one charge of murder, plus charges of illtreatment of a child, injuring with intent to injure and failing to seek medical attention.
Her sister, Sharron Barriball, 37, was also sentenced to six months’ home detention after earlier pleading guilty to one related charge of perverting the course of justice.
Before sentencing the court heard nine victim impact statements, including from Malachi’s uncle Peter Menzies.
‘‘Malachi died in my arms 42 hours after life support was turned off. From that moment confidence and happiness died too, I just hate you for taking his life.’’
He said once Michaela pleaded guilty, and he became aware of the full details of his nephew’s ordeal, he collapsed.
‘‘The hatred and terror has never left me,’’ he said.
‘‘My mind constantly returns to what you did to him . . . I do not regard you as a human being. Those who knew and did nothing are almost as bad and should be similarly punished.’’
Another uncle, Shane Cotter, placed a photograph of Malachi in front of him before addressing Michaela directly.
He said he was in state care himself, ‘‘unseen and unheard and a victim of unspeakable abuse’’.
He also spoke of the family regret that ‘‘unlike me, rescued from my nightmare, he paid the ultimate price’’.
‘‘Despite the efforts of his family Malachi was allowed to stay in the care of monsters.’’
Justice Davison also detailed Michaela’s numerous claims that various injuries were the result of clumsiness, or accidents.
‘‘Lies upon lies upon lies.’’
Assaults ‘on a daily basis'
Details of Malachi’s murder, and the appalling catalogue of suffering he endured before his death, caused outrage and prompted
As pale, cloudy skies laid a veil over the lands, the people of Ngā ti Hauā gathered on their tū rangawaewae to bid their whā nau member farewell.
Wednesday marked the final day and nehu (burial day) for Anaru Tarapipipi Wiripoai Te Awaitaia Tamihana, a cherished figure and ‘kingmaker’ of the Kiingitanga, who died over the weekend.
Hundreds ascended onto the ā tea (front lawn area) at Rukumoana marae near Morrinsville to pay their respects and reminisce, with waiata and haka ringing out. Kaumā tua and chairman of Ngā ti Hauā iwi trust, Mokoro Gillett spoke about his whanaunga (relative).
‘‘It’s kind of a day of a bit of sadness and reflection, we were all shocked when he passed away . . . and optimistic that he would be around for a few more years,’’ Gillett said. ‘‘It’s just immense to have the tumuaki of the Kiingitanga back at his turangawaewae, with his people and with his ancestors, it’s just special.’’
Tamihana was the descendant of a long lineage of ‘tumuaki o te Kiingitanga’, a role bestowed upon him and his forefathers to anoint each monarch of the Kiingitanga. He carried the responsibility of crowning the current Mā ori King, Tū heitia Potatau Te Wherowhero VII.
It was a role which his ancestor Wiremu Tamihana exercised during the coronation of the first Mā ori King, Kiingi Potatau Te Wherowhero in 1858.
Chief of staff to the Kiingitanga, arch deacon Ngira Simmonds, spoke at the nehu.
‘‘One of the beautiful things about Anaru is even if you didn’t meet him, even if you didn’t know him, you could still be his friend,’’ Simmonds said.
‘‘He would still lay down his life for you.’’
Tamihana was remembered for his dedication and persistent contribution to his people, the Kiingitanga and the community. This included helping to attain Ngā ti Hauā ’s treaty settlement, working in governance roles within Ngā ti Haua and Waikato Tainui and
working as a counsellor as well as a social worker for the community. Tamihana also featured on the queen’s birthday honours list in 2014, as an officer of the New Zealand order of merit.
‘‘He will be remembered, definitely remembered, he has left us a legacy, he was very humble about everything and that’s what everybody gravitated to,’’ Gillett said.
Tamihana’s son, John Tamihana will continue the protocol of the eldest son accepting the role of te tumuaki, following his father’s 20-year service. Anaru Tamihana was laid to rest, at the turangawaewae of the tumuaki, he was 74.