Year of tragic cases ahead as Whangārei courts prepare for homicide trials

Northland has been the backdrop to several tragic deaths leaving families and communities grappling with grief and unanswered questions.

This year a series of court cases begin after intensive police investigations.

The cases will shed light on the incidents and the possibility of long-awaited closure for the victims' loved ones.

Shayden Perkinson, Raumanga

The death of 25-year-old Shayden Perkinson will be the first High Court trial to begin in Whangārei.

Perkinson was allegedly stabbed outside the Gull Service station on Tauroa St in Raumanga, Whangārei on April 15, 2023, and died at the scene.

In the days following, brothers Bronson and Samson Manuel would be charged with his murder and later, another relative Mickey Manuel would be charged with accessory to the fact after the murder.

Neither offender has appeared physically in the High Court at Whangārei since they were first charged in 2023 with most of their court hearing attendances being excused or via audio-visual link from prison.

Their trial is scheduled to begin on February 10 for three weeks with Samson being represented by Ron Mansfield KC, Bronson by Whangārei lawyer Julie Young and Mickey by Auckland-based lawyer Sam Teppett.

Euan Mackey, Peria

Euan Mackey, 59, died from wounds after an altercation on March 3 last year at an Iwitaua Rd address in Peria in the Far North.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing and arrived to find Mackey dead.

Over the next two weeks, three offenders were arrested and appeared in court charged with his murder.

Denise Michelle Davis, 40, Joshua Herewine Tana, 38, and Quinton Davis, 50 will appear for their trial in the High Court at Whangārei on March 10.

Mackey had spent many years in Australia and his whānau described him as a “King Country cowboy” who left behind a wife, four children and six mokopuna.

Saralee Moke, Houhora Heads

On April 4 last year, the body of Saralee Moke was discovered at the Houhora Heads camping ground in Pukenui about 12.30am.

Kaytee Tahau, 46, of Kaitāia was charged with her murder and pleaded not guilty at the High Court in Whangārei in May.

Arthur Fairley will lead the defence in the trial due to begin July 21, for three weeks.

Neville Thomson, Panguru

In the remote Hokianga town of Panguru local man Neville Thomson, 69, died when he was mauled to death on his property by a pack of dogs on August 4, 2022.

Police took more than a year to piece together what allegedly occurred.

In December 2023, Thomson’s boarder Abel Wira was charged with being the owner of a dog that caused death.

At the time, Wira was listed as the owner of six dogs and 17 puppies.

In March last year his charges were upgraded to manslaughter for the death of Thomson.

Thomson’s daughter Nataria Moore told NZME her father was a family man who loved animals and his community.

“He was a family man, he had plans in place to be with us more. He wanted to make sure he continued the connection with his children. It meant the world to him.”

Fairley is representing Wira and the trial is scheduled at the High Court at Whangārei in August.

Other cases involving deaths progressing through the courts:

Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.