Year of tragic cases ahead as Whangārei courts prepare for homicide trials

The deaths of Shayden Perkinson, Euan Mackey and Neville Thomson will be some of the key High Court trials in Whangārei for 2025.

Northland has been the backdrop to several tragic deaths leaving families and communities grappling with grief and unanswered questions.

This year a series of court cases begin after intensive police investigations.

The cases will shed light on the incidents and the possibility of long-awaited closure for the victims' loved ones.

Shayden Perkinson, Raumanga

Shayden Perkinson was killed outside Whangārei Gull Service Station on April 15,2023. Photo / Givealittle

The death of 25-year-old Shayden Perkinson will be the first High Court trial to begin in Whangārei.

Perkinson was allegedly stabbed outside the Gull Service station on Tauroa St in Raumanga, Whangārei on April 15, 2023, and died at the scene.

In the days following, brothers Bronson and Samson Manuel would be charged with his murder and later, another relative Mickey Manuel would be charged with accessory to the fact after the murder.

Neither offender has appeared physically in the High Court at Whangārei since they were first charged in 2023 with most of their court hearing attendances being excused or via audio-visual link from prison.

Their trial is scheduled to begin on February 10 for three weeks with Samson being represented by Ron Mansfield KC, Bronson by Whangārei lawyer Julie Young and Mickey by Auckland-based lawyer Sam Teppett.

Shayden Perkinson's death led to a demonstration in Whangārei calling out violence in the city. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Euan Mackey, Peria

Euan Mackey, 59, died from wounds after an altercation on March 3 last year at an Iwitaua Rd address in Peria in the Far North.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing and arrived to find Mackey dead.

Over the next two weeks, three offenders were arrested and appeared in court charged with his murder.

Denise Michelle Davis, 40, Joshua Herewine Tana, 38, and Quinton Davis, 50 will appear for their trial in the High Court at Whangārei on March 10.

Mackey had spent many years in Australia and his whānau described him as a “King Country cowboy” who left behind a wife, four children and six mokopuna.

Euan Mackey, 59, died from stab wounds at a Peria property in March 2024.

Saralee Moke, Houhora Heads

On April 4 last year, the body of Saralee Moke was discovered at the Houhora Heads camping ground in Pukenui about 12.30am.

Kaytee Tahau, 46, of Kaitāia was charged with her murder and pleaded not guilty at the High Court in Whangārei in May.

Arthur Fairley will lead the defence in the trial due to begin July 21, for three weeks.

Neville Thomson, Panguru

Neville Thomson died at his home in Panguru and his boarder, Abel Wira, was charged with manslaughter.

In the remote Hokianga town of Panguru local man Neville Thomson, 69, died when he was mauled to death on his property by a pack of dogs on August 4, 2022.

Police took more than a year to piece together what allegedly occurred.

In December 2023, Thomson’s boarder Abel Wira was charged with being the owner of a dog that caused death.

At the time, Wira was listed as the owner of six dogs and 17 puppies.

In March last year his charges were upgraded to manslaughter for the death of Thomson.

Thomson’s daughter Nataria Moore told NZME her father was a family man who loved animals and his community.

“He was a family man, he had plans in place to be with us more. He wanted to make sure he continued the connection with his children. It meant the world to him.”

Fairley is representing Wira and the trial is scheduled at the High Court at Whangārei in August.

Abel Wira will stand trial for the manslaughter of Neville Thomson in August this year. Photo / NZME

Other cases involving deaths progressing through the courts:

• Anaru Ihaka Morunga, 34, remains in custody for the alleged murder of Jasmaine Reihana after her body was found in a burnt-out car on Ripiro Beach, Dargaville. A three-week trial has been scheduled for August 2026.
• August Lemon, 48, was initially charged with endangering life by setting fire to a car after the body of Hoani Reupena-Tuoro was discovered at a Thomas St address in Whangārei on April 2024. His charge was upgraded to murder to which he pleaded not guilty and remains in custody until his trial date on August 29, 2026.
• Audrey Hineteau Thompson, 29, was charged with murdering Arthur Tahere at a Kaitāia address in September 2024.Thompson pleaded not guilty in October and a three-week trial has been scheduled for June 2026.
• Ike Wellington Kingi, 44, was found guilty of murdering Bob Kleiman by a jury at the High Court in Whangārei on November 2024. Kingi will be sentenced on March 28 for shooting Kleiman in Onerahi, Whangārei in 2022.

Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.