Teachers in shock after Kawerau stabbing
Staff at the Kawerau primary school attended by the Kawerau man who died last week after allegedly being stabbed are reeling at news of his death.
Gareth Lardelli Kaipara, 23, was killed last Thursday night at a Holyoake Cres house after allegedly being stabbed in the neck.
Mr Kaipara's name had been suppressed until yesterday when Judge Peter Rollo lifted name suppression during an appearance in the Whakatane District Court of the man accused of murdering him.
The accused man has been granted continued name suppression and has been remanded in custody for two weeks for a psychiatric report to be carried out.
Mr Kaipara attended Kawerau South School as a child and principal Stuart Cook told The Daily Post that all staff were saddened by what had happened.
"He will be remembered as a friendly and active student who took part in all school activities," Mr Cook said.
Mr Kaipara's family did not want to talk when contacted by The Daily Post yesterday.
The accused, a 31-year-old unemployed man, was originally charged with assault but the charge was this week upgraded to murder. He appeared in court yesterday on crutches and took his shirt off during his short appearance, leaving him wearing only green shorts. He was represented by Roger Gowing.
The accused and Mr Kaipara were known to each other.
Police were alerted to the incident after someone at the house made a 111 call requesting an ambulance. Ambulance staff then contacted police.
When police arrived, they found a 9-year-old child and three adults, one woman and two men, at the scene.
The accused is to reappear in court on January 30.
