Victim had ‘the kindest heart’
A man arrested after a violent stabbing in Whanganui has been granted interim name suppression.
Miriama Raukawa was killed in the stabbing on Wicksteed St in central Whanganui on Tuesday and yesterday morning three people remained in hospital.
The man faced one charge of murder and five charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm when he appeared in the Whanganui District Court yesterday.
He stood in the dock wearing a smock and stared at the ground for most of his appearance.
Judge Chris Sygrove ordered a psychiatric report. The man is due to appear again in the High Court at Whanganui next month.
Raukawa is understood to have been a foster mother to many children.
A 20-year-old woman who was raised by Raukawa said she was ‘‘the best thing that has ever happened to me’’.
‘‘She had the most kindest heart a mother should have. She took a lot of people in, but never once thought about herself. Her smile was the highlight of my day.’’
Raukawa loved all her children equally, she said.
‘‘No-one was left out. She gave me that roof to live under, food to be eaten and a bed to sleep on. She’s had me since I was little – I couldn’t ask for anything else but my mum.
‘‘I just wish I could have said thank you to her – wishes don’t come true after all.’’
A friend said Raukawa was known for the great love she had for her children. ‘‘[She] lived life getting by on the basics and was humbled by that. She will be missed as she was a good listener, shoulder to cry on and confidant.’’
Five people were also injured in the stabbing.
A woman in her 20s, another in her 30s, and a man in his 50s are in a stable condition, a spokesman for Whanganui hospital said.
Two other patients have been discharged.
Police have launched a homicide investigation.
Yesterday morning there was little more known on Wicksteed St, where the burst of violence captured the street’s attention hours earlier.
A police officer held back loose cordon tape, blowing in the wind, at the intersection with Liverpool St.
Officers were stationed on the road overnight, redirecting curious passersby and taking names and phone numbers of all who stopped to look.
A blue tent was erected late Tuesday evening, in the backyard of three tired flats on the corner. The body was removed yesterday afternoon.
Neighbours said there was a family of four or five living in a flat at the back of the house.
‘‘Her smile was the highlight of my day.’’ Victim’s foster daughter