Turia threat probe ends

Police say they have ended their investigation into an email threat against Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia.

A 16-year-old Westport youth has been referred to Youth Aid Services.

Mrs Turia had said she received a number of threats, apparently from different people, but a police spokesman said the youth was working alone.

A spokeswoman for Mrs Turia said police were to brief her tomorrow and there had been no word on whether more protection was needed.

The message, signed by "Maori killer", saying "Burn in hell u Maori nigger", was tracked down through a Telecom account that appeared to have been set up specifically to send the email.

Mrs Turia said it was not the first time she had been threatened, but she was fed up after other threatening situations, including having the back door of her home smashed, a bullet thrown through the toilet window, and food thrown at her garage.

- NZPA