Play inspired by shooting
A new theatre work that opens tonight is paying tribute to the true story of a teen accidentally killed in a police chase.
Halatau Naitoko, a new father and courier driver, died in 2009 after he was mistakenly shot by police.
The 17-year-old was caught in the crossfire as police chased a drug-fuelled suspect down Auckland’s northwestern motorway.
Western Springs playwright and director Noa Campbell used the incident as inspiration when she penned Crossfire to provoke a discussion about social justice.
‘‘The 2009 shooting started with a bag snatching and ended up with an innocent man being killed by AOS,’’ she says.
Another police shooting in Pt Chevalier a few months later further fuelled her inspiration.
Crossfire centres on a family affected by a police shooting when the patriarch becomes a victim of gunfire.
Mr Naitoko’s mother Ivoni Fuimaono says she is grateful to the playwright for acknowl- edging her journey. Ms Fuimaono never met the officer who shot her son.
However, last week police announced the family will receive a total of $225,000 in compensation.
The compensation includes $100,000 for hardship and suffering, $25,000 towards legal costs, and $100,000 already paid to the family.
Ms Fuimaono said it was extremely difficult to put a figure on the value of her son’s life but the money would go a long way to helping the family, especially Naitoko’s partner and baby.
‘‘I think it will be a lifechange,’’ Ms Fuimaono says.
‘‘Halatau was only a baby. He was only 17. He still lived at home. Everyone has struggled.’’