Insults traded, some restrained in Vercoe murder trial

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Mon, 23 Nov 2009 5:00p.m.

Hawea Vercoe

Hawea Vercoe

By Adam Hollingworth

There were ugly scenes inside Whakatane District Court today during the appearance of the man accused of Hawea Vercoe's murder.

Family members from both sides had to be restrained and insults were traded.

The young Maori leader was killed outside the Quart House bar early yesterday morning.

Murder accused Isaiah Tai got support from his whanau as he was led into court.

Around 50 people turned up along with a dozen of Vercoe's family.

21-year-old Tai from Opotiki is accused of murdering Hawea Vercoe outside a bar on Whakatane's main street in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“It was really quickly and nobody had a chance to react and saw it happen, it wasn't a fight, it was an act that happened, it wasn't a fight,” said Quart House owner Grant Webb.

The judge refused Tai's lawyer's application for interim name suppression.

But as Tai was turning to go, one of his family members shouted “love you bro”, there followed an altercation when members of both families traded insults and some had to be restrained.

Outside the court, Tai's father said his son is not a murderer.

“What, do they think that he just purposely set out to do that thing? Nah, my boy's not like that.”

Others were more aggressive.

“Get those f***ing cameras out of our f***ing faces eh.”

Mr Vercoe's sister was also in court.

“Oh I think it's something that no family should ever have to go through, but there's not anything that we can do about it,” she said.

“I'm hoping that justice will prevail over time and we will work that process out.”

Mr Vercoe's body will arrive at his parents' home in Whakatane later this evening.

Tomorrow morning he will be taken back to his school he loved before going to Tuteao Marae in Te Teko where his funeral takes place on Thursday.

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Comments

03 Jun 2010 08:40a.m.

Natasha Hill wrote:

Hi,I am natasha and I would like to say how admired I am when I see maori folks doing something for the country.Hawea Vercoe is a perfect example and I think his work would be admired by others aswell.His passing makes a end
for him but would also start a new leader for others from the work that he has done.I hope Maori leaders continue to grow and maintain sucessful skills for many generations.

Rest in peace
Hawea Vercoe

20 Mar 2010 11:59p.m.

Temaara Karaitiana wrote:

To Andre Tai,
I am going to cut straight to the chase....thats right you are in Australia!! So you need to come over here and see how your dumb arse whanau are behaving...instead of trying to sound all intelligent and play judge, police and counsellor PLEASE!!...how dumb: on this hand on the other hand and the only people who know are Hawea and Isaiah: are you for real? Hawea was thrown cheap shots to the ground(THEN DIED) The reality: Hawea would be alive if Isaiah didnt beat him to death.......now we a left with your loser Non teaching, Non speaking Te Reo Maori, Who will never be a role model for us Maori in our rohe, instead we have your dole blodging nephew who will only make a difference in our taxes.......If your whanau had any brains they would move with compassion, not all gather around the court with kids that should be in school: instead there are little teny boppers trying to staunch the Hawea Vercoe Whanau out. Which once again is a stupid move "you know the Vercoe Whanau had to call a hui pleading with supporters not to come to the court in droves and if you need to come: please come with integrity of NO VIOLENCE for the sake of our tamariki" That was their wish and many Te Arawa, Ngati Awa & Tuhoe Whanau had offered much support toward a protest march etc...and the Whanau declined...so anymore bright spark comments: by comparing your circumstances to there's "WHATEVER" your loser is well and truly alive and its not enough you still have to state your opinion.

30 Nov 2009 01:52a.m.

ANDRE TAI wrote:

It is with deep regret that I find myself here in Australia, and not in NZ to stand beside my family to support them in this time of tragic circumstances. I would however like to extend to the Vercoe whanau my condolences for their loss of a loved one in such a tragic and senseless manner. It is also very unfortunate, the manner in which we as MAORI must display our emotions in such an aggressive way. Truth be told, that we as a race of Maori people, we are all aggressive ,each and every one of us. When the fear of being hurt or the threat of violence is set upon us, our instant reaction is to defend at all cost. It is not my intention to make this sound like I am defending my nephew or cast obscenities upon the Vercoe family, I am merely trying to make sense of the whole unfortunate scenario.
Being here in Oz, makes it very difficult to understand or know in its entirety the truth and the facts of exactly what happened on that night, and I think the only 2 people that will ever have that knowledge will be Isaiah and Hawea.On 1 hand we have Isaiah, who will have to face the Justice System and give a self explanatory version of events through his own eyes, and live the rest of his days with the knowledge that someone died at his hand.(yet to be determined).On the other hand, and very unfortunately we had Hawea who has taken all he ever had to do with anything to the grave with him..(R.I.P)... Personally, I would like to think that there is a lesson there for all of us as Maori...Instead of segragating ourselves from one another, learn from what has happened and relay a message so other whanau dont have to go through any of this. If we dont want our children to be faced with this sort of SENSELESS BEHAVIOUR in the future, then they need to learn that violence is not the answer to eveything.
An accident is an accident, otherwise it would be called a deliberate. Murder is a plan, or an act of Premeditation, something I believe very strongly in my heart was not something

28 Nov 2009 09:36p.m.

stacey wrote:

hi i am his niece his father is the brother of my kuia bonnie te pani vercoe i didnt know uncle hawea that well i wish i did get the chance know him and when i returned from his tangi i cant get him out of my mind??...

26 Nov 2009 02:12p.m.

Teeaw wrote:

anna - why would you compare him in the first place? He was someone's father, husband, son, grandson... how rude!

24 Nov 2009 06:33p.m.

Hawea supporter wrote:

I knew this awesome father / teacher for over 10 years he was educated, ambitious, articulate and forever trying to help out someone else in need...he was totally dedicated to all of his young children and step daughter and dedicated his teaching life to seeing young Maori who wouldve ordinary fallen through the cracks succeed and enjoy learning as well a staunch advocate for the Maori language. He gave 150% as a teacher, father, principal and up-and-coming Te Arawa / Ngati Awa leader...Hawea was the type of character we "hope" Maori boys will aspire to be like....all taken away...by the senseless, unprovoked attack by a real "stereotypical useless" Maori male...hang your head in SHAME TAI whanau!!! What your son did was disgusting and you should all be ashamed of the way you behaved in court. The WHOLE country thinks your all shameless hicks...most Maori aren't like this lot!!

24 Nov 2009 05:49p.m.

jay wrote:

anna you idiot what a stupid thing to say. do you even know what this man has done for others, just because he didnt marry someone famous...for goodness sake

24 Nov 2009 02:02a.m.

Simon wrote:

I am fed up with the excuse 'didn't mean to kill him' this week. Two slain teachers. Two utter bums before the courts. Producers die, consumers survive, it isn't right. Throw the key away if this country hasn't the balls to exile these two idiots. And phooey to all this mealy-mouthed talk of god and love.

23 Nov 2009 11:23p.m.

Anna wrote:

While no one deserves this, he was NOT comparable to Princess Diana.

23 Nov 2009 09:37p.m.

Belles wrote:

This is one incident that should never have happened and very sad that it did. I mourn the passing of a man who was destined to achieve great things for his people but was cut short in his prime just like Diana.

The Grace of God be upon his wife and children and family as they mourn a much loved husband, father, son, brother,uncle and friend.