Day in the Dock: Man facing possibility of life in jail over ‘birthday party’ treat
Friday, 3 July 2026
What was meant to be a “birthday party” treat for Hikawera Hutana has left him instead facing the possibility of a life sentence behind bars.
The treat?
Seven-and-a-half grams of cocaine.
Hutana appeared at Huntly District Court on Thursday facing charges of possession of cocaine, possession of morphine and failing to provide phone passwords.
His lawyer entered not guilty pleas to the charges, requested a jury trial, and told the court his client was “one of the growing number of people linked to this Operation Texas thing”.
He said police allege he was found with the cocaine, and that Hutana told them “I’ve got it to give myself a birthday party”.
“The one thing that’s good for me is it was his birthday when he was arrested,” his lawyer said.
Judge Arthur Tompkins said the police summary of facts alleged Hutana was also found with two cell phones, electronic scales and small zip-lock bags.
“All indicative of a supply operation,” he said.
Judge Tompkins said Hutana was arrested in the wake of the wider operation targeting Comanchero activity across Waikato.
He said Hutana found himself swept up after being linked to “a named individual who was identified as the principal target of that operation”.
He also noted the allegations did not place Hutana “at the top of the supply chain”.
“But nevertheless, an active, street level dealer of cocaine.”
However, he also noted the cocaine charge had a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Hutana is set to appear at Hamilton District Court on August 27.
Two charges of failing to answer District Court bail facing Nathan Ashley Williams created something of a bureaucratic headache for the court for one simple reason, as his lawyer told the court.
“Mr Williams passed away around two months ago.”
Judge Tompkins asked why the charges could not simply be withdrawn by police.
“It does seem a cumbersome process. Are police satisfied Mr Williams is deceased?” he said.
The probation officer also asked Judge Tompkins to cancel Williams’ community work.
Judge Tompkins said if police withdraw the charges and “contrary to all expectations Mr Williams was reincarnated, they can still relay the charges”.
He then dismissed the charges.
A ten-day safety order imposed on Tre Whanga didn’t appear to do much to deter him from approaching his victim - as the police summary of facts revealed.
It was May 23 this year, approximately 6.30am, and the victim entered her bedroom.
“And the defendant was under the victims bed.”
Details of his offending were able to be read to the court after he entered guilty pleas to charges of threatening to kill, escape from police custody and failure to comply with a police safety order.
His victim was “shocked” at his appearance and left the property, only to be followed by Whanga who then produced a knife.
“If I wanted to stab or hit you, I would have done that by now,” he said.
The victim told Whanga she was going to get some car keys and called the police, prompting Whanga to flea and toss the knife.
He later told police the knife belonged to his parents, and he was carrying it as “he was walking in Hamilton at 2am and it wasn’t safe”.
Judge Tompkins stood the matter down for a later bail application from Whanga.