The partner of slain Rawene woman Barbara Ann Moka told his family and friends she had left and her cellphone was at home charging, a witness has told a jury.
Matiu Wirihana Korewha, 44, aka Mathew Wilson Korewha, is on trial in the High Court at Whangarei on a charge of murdering Ms Moka in June 2013.
His niece, Rebecca Korewha, took the stand in court yesterday and said Ms Moka, who she called Aunty Barbs, looked happy at a family social gathering at Omanaia's Te Piiti Marae and spoke about trying to bring her children to live with her.
After another aunt's tangi in June 2013, Ms Korewha said she went to Kaikohe to buy alcohol and bring it back to the marae for a get-together that evening. She said Ms Moka didn't seem affected by alcohol and even joined in a photo shoot.
She said the social function ended about 11pm and she went to sleep in the marae and that was the last time she saw her Aunty Barbs.