Hawkes Bay father died trying to protect family

Wilson Apatu crashed his vehicle after fleeing the property where the shootings took place. Photo / NZPA

One of Janine West's last memories of partner Layden Rameka is of him trying to protect his family moments before he was shot dead.

Mr Rameka, 35, was killed on Sunday afternoon in the Hawkes Bay village of Waikoau - a sleepy former forestry settlement 40km northwest of Napier. His alleged killer - Wilson Apatu, 39 - is in custody.

Ms West, 32, was in the sitting room with two of her sons - Zepplin, 8, and Taylor, 1 - and a cousin when the drama unfolded.

As Mr Rameka tried to shepherd her and the children into a bedroom, he was shot, suffering fatal injuries.

"I was too scared to reach to Layden ... It was that close it could have missed Layden and hit me."

Mr Rameka died at the scene as relatives and friends tried to revive him.

Zepplin was shot in the arm and was taken to Hawkes Bay Hospital. He was discharged yesterday.

Members of Mr Rameka's extended family yesterday paid tribute to him.

Ms West said her long-time partner had a heart of gold, but was the kind of person not to be crossed.

"He was stubborn ... He didn't bow down to anyone. It's how people would remember him. I just want his family to see what he took for my kids."

Mr Rameka's aunt Rosie Hiha described him as a hard-working man who played rugby league in the local inter-marae competition.

Ms Hiha was at Napier District Court yesterday when Apatu appeared on charges of murder, attempted murder and aggravated robbery.

She said Mr Rameka was "a good boy" and dismissed any suggestions he was a patched gang member.

Mr Rameka had only recently returned to Waikoau and had found work as a shearer. His six children, all under 14, were enrolled at school in nearby Tutira.

"He was a provider who cared for his children," Ms Hiha said.

Another relative, Peter Hiha, said Apatu and Mr Rameka were probably distantly related.

Apatu, a sickness beneficiary, entered no plea at his court appearance before Judge Bridget MacKintosh.

He stood impassively, not acknowledging the small group of relatives sitting in the public gallery, tears glistening in their eyes.

Outside court, his mother refused to talk, though an Apatu whanau spokesman apologised for what had happened. "Our family's heart goes out to the victim's family, particularly his wife and children."

Apatu will return to court on September 23.

Mr Rameka's body was taken to Palmerston North yesterday for an autopsy.

His tangi will be held at Petane Marae, north of Napier.