Murdered man's mum rejects killer's remorse

Rita Croskery, mother of murder victim Michael Choy. Photo / Doug Sherring

The woman who planned the killing of pizza delivery man Michael Choy will be considered for parole in November, and says she plans to "give back" to the community and seek forgiveness from her victim's family.

But Mr Choy's mother wants nothing to do with her son's killer - or anyone else involved in his death.

Mr Choy, 40, was lured to a South Auckland address in 2001 and bashed to death with a baseball bat before being robbed of his pizzas and cash.

Whatarangi Rawiri, then 17, planned the murder and Alexander Peihopa, 16, wielded the bat. Both were convicted of murder and given life sentences. They became eligible for parole this month and appeared before the Parole Board.

But because of the seriousness of their sentences, parole must be considered by an extended board and this will be done in November.

Before her hearing was adjourned the board was told that Rawiri was focused on being released and running her own catering business.

"Ms Rawiri herself told us that she feels she has come to a point where she has done her best to address the causes of her offending," board convener Judge Anne Kiernan said.

"She has come to an understanding of what course she must take in the future to both set herself on the right course in life but also give back to the community. She is keen to seek forgiveness from the victims, who are of course, the parents of Michael Choy."

Judge Kiernan said Rawiri had also "repeatedly" expressed her remorse and sorrow about what she had done.

But that meant nothing to Mr Choy's mother Rita Croskery.

"I don't want to have anything to do with them. I want to wipe my hands of them," she told the Herald yesterday.

"After their horrendous act, they should spend the rest of their lives trying to help other people. They've got to live with their guilt, and to rectify what they've done, they've got to put some goodness back into the community."

Mrs Croskery rejected Rawiri's plan to seek her forgiveness.

"I don't really want to talk to her ... she made a decision. She was old enough to know right from wrong. How do you forgive somebody that's done something like that anyway?"

Mrs Croskery has made a submission to the board. She did not believe Rawiri was ready to be released, but hoped if she was, a rigorous monitoring and support plan was in place.

"I know that they've got to have parole at some stage ... But I want to make sure the community is safe when these people are released. I don't want this to happen to anybody else."