Boating tragedy victim was a relative of slain road worker George Taiaroa

Saturday, 27 February 2016

The wreckage of the fishing vessel FV Marina was found in Breaksea Sound, Southland.

A man who died in a boating accident in Southland was the cousin of road worker George Taiaroa.

The bodies of Matenga Taiaroa and crew member Jim Hanson were found in the wreckage of fishing vessel Marina in Breaksea Sound on Friday.

Taiaroa, 81, lived in Otakou, a small fishing village about 25km from Dunedin at the eastern end of the Otago Peninsula.

His son, Teone Taiaroa, who lives in Otakou said his father and Hanson were planning on fishing the tuna season on the West Coast.

* George Taiaroa murder accused named**

But on their way to Westport, their boat had a breakdown and they spent two to three weeks in Picton.

By the time they got to Westport, they were too late for the tuna season and decided to return to Otakou.

It was unclear what had caused the boating accident, Teone said.

Teone described his father as a 'go-getter'.

'He lived a full and happy life. He died doing what he loved doing - sailing on the sea.'

Teone said his father enjoyed the independence of being on the ocean.

'There's a certain freedom once you're out there away from all the distractions on land.'

Both Matenga's brother and grandfather had also died at sea, Teone said.

Relative Tahu Potiki confirmed that Taiaroa was a cousin of road worker George Taiaroa, who was killed in a shooting close to three years ago.

Taiaroa had purchased the Marina boat just over a year ago to go out fishing in.

'He was a fisherman most of his life. Even at the age of 81 he didn't want to sit at home.'

Potiki said Taiaroa was his father's first cousin.

'He was a nice guy, pretty down to earth.

'He didn't like being off his feet.'

Taiaroa was a well respected elder of Kai Tahu ki Otakou, Potiki said.

Matenga and his brothers were all cousins of the Ellison family, who launched Otakou Fisheries in the 1940s.

Senior Sergeant Darryl Lennane, of Southern Police, said one of the bodies and the boat wreckage were discovered on Friday afternoon.

A search operation was then launched and the body of the second man was located later in the day.

The matter has been referred to the coroner, Lennane said.

Te Anau-based Southern Lakes Helicopters were called into help with the search and rescue operation.

A spokeswoman said two of its helicopters were involved in the search, but she could not confirm any more details about the incident.

The NZ Rescue Coordination Centre in Wellington took charge of the wider search, she said.

Breaksea Sound is located on the southwest coast of the South Island. It cuts into Fiordland National Park near Resolution Island.

On Saturday, police urged anyone who saw the FV Marina in and around Breaksea Sound or if anyone had spoken to the men on board the ship while they were in the area to contact Senior Constable Grant Nimmo on 021 191 5162.

Police said they expected to release more information on Sunday.

The FV Marina was involved in another tragedy in 1999 which claimed the life of fisherman Barry Wells after it rolled in Tasman Bay.

A family member of Wells' posted a statement to Facebook on Saturday morning saying her thoughts were with the families of the men lost in the latest tragedy.

'Our family vessel was meticulously maintained by skilled seamen whom are leaders in their fields and very well respected within the industry,' she wrote.

'I'm very proud of my links to this industry and have great respect for all those who risk their lives every day to put food in our mouths and support their families.'