Convicted killer lends son a hand

Tamihere spent 20 years behind bars for the 1989 murders of Swiss couple Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen. Photo / NZ Herald

Convicted double murderer David Wayne Tamihere has been lending a hand in a local production of hit Broadway musical, Chicago.

The West Auckland production, directed by Tamihere's son, Jon Tamihere-Kemeys, ran for two weeks at the Playhouse Theatre in Glen Eden, and closed with a sell-out performance last weekend.

The programme promised a tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, treachery ... "all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts".

Tamihere spent 20 years behind bars for the 1989 murders of Swiss couple Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen. He'd previously served time for the 1972 manslaughter of young Auckland stripper Mary Barcham.

The 59-year-old's name is listed in the programme with those who helped backstage.

Tamihere-Kemeys - an award-winning director - said his father's involvement in the show was minor. "Dad gave some assistance backstage. It went very well." He didn't wish to elaborate or comment on his father's ailing health, saying the family wished to keep a low profile.

David Tamihere lives in West Auckland with his partner of about 40 years, Kristine, who told the Herald on Sunday he had enjoyed working on the show.

"It was great working with his son," she said.