Ōtaki man dies in State Highway 1 crash

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Steven Hoani Bunyan, of Ōtaki, was the man who died in a crash on State Highway 1 near Manakau. He had previously lived in Taranaki. (File photo)

A driver killed in a two-car crash after fleeing police on State Highway 1 south of Levin was a former Taranaki man living in Ōtaki.

Steven Hoani Bunyan died at the scene of the collision at the intersection of the highway and Kuhu Beach Rd, Manakau, Horowhenua, about 1.28pm on Tuesday.

Before the fatal crash, Bunyan had been stopped by police, but as an officer approached his vehicle he sped off.

Police did not chase the 43-year-old but a short time later came across the crash scene.

* Lane reopens on SH1 near Otaki after crashed caused further delays for Wellington commuters

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Bunyan had an extensive criminal history including a conviction for manslaughter.

In November 2003 he was sentenced to six years and six months imprisonment after stabbing a teenager to death in Highbury, Palmerston North, on August 31, 2002.

Wiremu Waho, 18, died of a stab wound to the heart after trying to break up a fight between Bunyan’s girlfriend, a Black Power associate, and another woman with Mongrel Mob affiliations.

Bunyan, who lived in New Plymouth at the time, had been charged with murder but was found guilty of manslaughter.

He also had an extensive list of convictions for violence, drink-driving, kidnapping, assaulting females and breaching protection orders.

Bunyan’s family declined to speak with Stuff about his death.