Auckland police make arrest after 14-year-old boy killed in hit-and-run

Police have made an arrest after a 14-year-old boy was killed in a fatal hit-and-run in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe in March.

Tāmaki Makaurau serious crash unit officer in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Jason McIntosh said at the time of the crash, the driver of the vehicle involved left the area.

“Sadly, 14-year-old male pedestrian Kaea Conan Matau, from Papatoetoe, died at the scene,” McIntosh said.

“After making enquiries following the March 8 crash, a 30-year-old woman has been arrested.

“The woman was charged this morning with excess breath alcohol, failing to stop, and driving in a dangerous manner,” he said.

“She is due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Thursday.”

Papatoetoe High School principal Vaughan Couillault said Kaea was a “lovely kid”.

“The teachers that taught him were heartbroken. They said he was absolutely lovely to have in class.

“He worked really hard for everybody, wanted to do the right thing, and was a guy trying to get on.”

Couillault said Kaea was a musically gifted student, who had recently won a Tironui Music Trust scholarship.

“His music tutor was sobbing when the news got to him.”

In a video posted to Papatoetoe High School's website, fellow students could be seen performing a haka as Kaea Conan Matau's coffin was brought through the school grounds.

In a video posted to the school’s Facebook page, Kaea’s coffin could be seen in a van being escorted through the school grounds while hundreds of students, each wearing T-shirts bearing his name, line up on either side.

A group of students could also be seen performing a haka as the van approached.

Kaea’s family could be seen embracing students, while others could be seen in tears.