Community responds to murder family's pain

The Pacific Island community has rallied around six children left without their mother after a murder in South Auckland.

Kalolina Uluakiola, 36, was killed in an attack at her home in Gilbert Rd, Otara, late Monday night. Her husband, Sione Uluakiola, has been charged with murder.

Mrs Uluakiola's 25-year-old cousin was critically injured but is recovering.

Family friends said she was taken off life support on Saturday.

She does not have full movement on her left side, but was aware of her surroundings and cried when friends said her brother was coming from Australia.

"She is making a recovery, which has just thrilled us," said family friend Graeme McNae.

The six Uluakiola children have been staying with his family since the tragedy.

They will travel to Australia this week to bury their mother, a nurse who worked two jobs to support her family.

The children were yesterday presented with clothing and were told the Pacific Island community was giving them $2600 following an appeal by radio station Niu FM.

The station's Tongan programme launched the appeal on Wednesday night and people from Invercargill to Auckland pledged money to the family.

Tongan programme producer Will 'Ilolahia said the money was offered over one night.

Mr 'Ilolahia said the murder had put the spotlight on domestic violence and how the various Pacific Island communities respond to family disputes.

He said the Tongan programme would this week include a special talk-back session on domestic violence, a problem the community "has to start looking at seriously".

Women who had been abused would be interviewed on the programme, he said.

Mr McNae said the family were grateful to Niu FM and New Zealanders "for their generosity and for their display of human kindness and human love in this tragic time".

Mrs Uluakiola's brothers, Sofele and Tele Langi, said they wanted to thank Government agencies who helped the family, along with the children's schools and their sister's co-workers.

They were grateful for the support which came from Niu FM and many of its listeners.

The brothers will today return to Australia with their sister's body.

The funeral will be held Friday.