Distraught family farewell dead boy

The 13-year-old South Auckland boy who died after disappearing from a Child, Youth and Family-authorised camp has been farewelled by family and friends in the Far North.

Otis Auelua's body was found in the sea last Wednesday. He had vanished from the camp at Matauri Bay in Northland on December 9.

Pacific World, the Government-financed social agency running the camp, did not report him missing to the police until four days later.

The Otara teenager's family were due to return last night from Te Hapua, where they had travelled to bury him.

A relative said family members had chartered a bus and driven on Saturday night to Te Hapua, the home town of Otis' grandmother.

Otis, one of seven children, was buried at a small cemetery overlooking Spirits Bay.

Police said it appeared Otis had fallen from cliffs near the Rainbow Warrior Memorial at Matauri Bay.

On Friday, Otis' aunt, Phyllis Wynyard, told the Herald the family were in shock and angry.

Otis' mother had not wanted him to go to the camp because he had a court appearance.

But Pacific World picked him up and left a note on the door.

Otis' mother did not learn he was missing until December 12, when a Pacific World worker told her he had disappeared. It was thought he could have gone to visit family in the area.

A report prepared by Pacific World, which runs one of six Government-sponsored projects under the youth suicide prevention strategy, said Otis had walked off on his own about 1.30pm on December 9. He had been called back but did not return.

Camp organisers had searched for him and asked locals if they had seen him. They had also taken a boat out to look round the rocks.

Miss Wynyard said the family wanted answers about why Otis' disappearance was not reported earlier.

Pacific World officials did not return calls last night.

Child, Youth and Family director of regional operations Lorraine Williams said until police inquiries were completed it was inappropriate to make any further comment.