Dead girl was trying to stop fight, say police

Police markers at the spot where Melissa Puhi was fatally stabbed on Saturday evening. Picture / Amos Chapple

Melissa Puhi stepped in to stop a fight, telling the 16-year-old she grew up with that "if you want to get to her you'll have to go through me first".

She was dead a short time later after being stabbed in the neck.

Yesterday police said the tragedy was the result of a scuffle outside a 21st birthday party in Patikura St, Turangi, on Saturday night.

The dead girl was Melissa Moana Puhi, 16, of Korohe.

Melissa had stepped in to subdue a quarrel between the alleged killer and another girl.

Police said the alleged killer and Melissa had grown up together.

The Turangi community has been left shattered by the events.

Both girls involved are from well-known and respected families within the area.

"They are from very loving families," said Hirangi School principal Henarata Ham.

"It is unbelievable what has happened.

"It is all just a waste of potential and is very, very sad."

Both girls had bright, happy personalities and were popular among their peers, Ms Ham said.

"The lives of two families have changed irrevocably."

The school had an assembly yesterday that had "turned into more of a church service".

Members of the victim's and the accused's families had attended, although immediate family of the girl charged with murder were yesterday in Rotorua to support their daughter during her court appearance.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not enter a plea and was remanded in the custody of Child Youth and Family.

Detective Sergeant Neale Saunders said the trio of girls Melissa was a part of were with a group of boys when they came across the party.

The girls did not go inside and stayed on the street while the boys went on to the property. But a group of girls at the party came out to confront the girls on the street.

An exchange took place and when one of the accused threatened someone Melissa stepped in to try to calm things down.

She said something to the effect of "you want to get to her you'll have to go through me first", said Mr Saunders.

Iwi liaison officer Sergeant Brian Nicholas said the Puhi whanau was grief-stricken, but calm.