Kung fu dad confronts knife-wielding youth after attack
AN Avondale father skilled in kung fu confronted a group of youths who hospitalised his son’s friend in a random attack.
Matua Ngarino had a knife pulled on him in Avondale’s Riversdale Park after confronting a group of boys who he believed had attacked a 12-year-old a few days earlier.
The attack had sent the boy, who had been at the park with Ngarino’s sons, to Starship Hospital and made his owns sons afraid of going outside, Ngarino said.
‘‘The boys surrounded me, and one pulled a knife. I gave him the opportunity to walk away before they all got hurt.
‘‘With my background in Wing Chun kung fu, I was ready for the unexpected. I warned them a second time to walk away from the situation, they hesitated at first, but they came to their senses and walked away.’’
Ngarino said he had trained in Wing Chun kung fu in Christchurch in 1989, and while he had taught his children to walk away from confrontation, he knew how to defend himself.
Wing Chun kung fu is a form of self-defence requiring quick arm movements and strong kicks to defeat opponents.
While at the park, Ngarino took photographs of the boys he believed were involved and sent them to police.
He said his sons and friend were preparing to head home from the park about 6pm on April 21 when the other youths began to harass them.
When the friends went to leave on their scooters, the offending group chased them and got hold of one of the boys and proceeded to beat him.
‘‘The other boys ran to our house to tell us what was happening, and called the police, luckily a passerby was able to help the boy being attacked and take him inside.’’
The boys who had attacked Ngarino’s sons and their friends were often at the park, he said, and were known for trying to cause trouble. He said their ages ranged from seven to 18.
Ngarino said after the attack his wife and one of their sons were able to identify three of the boys involved, and that one of the boys made a gesture across his throat and threatened to ‘‘cut them’’.
The assault had left Ngarino’s sons and their injured friend ‘‘traumatised’’.
A police spokesman confirmed police had received reports from members of the public about a child being attacked in the park. At the time, the spokesman said police tried to find the group responsible but couldn’t.
Police has also been made aware of two incidents in the following days, where people reported seeing the group who they believed were involved.
‘‘On both occasions the people spoke with the group and reported being threatened with a knife. Police are following this up.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105, quoting file 210421/7602 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.