No resignations at Christchurch's Hillmorton Hospital since stabbing

Police forensics at the scene of the fatal stabbing on Cheyenne Street in the Christchurch suburb of Sockburn. Photo / Kurt Bayer

There have been no resignations at a mental health unit in Christchurch since a patient on community leave allegedly murdered a mother-of-four in a random street stabbing.

Laisa Waka Tunidau, 52, had caught the bus home from work and was metres from her
house on Cheyenne St, Sockburn, when she was attacked about 4.20pm on Saturday.

CDHB chief executive Dr Peter Bramley earlier confirmed the 37-year-old man accused of her murder was a patient of the DHB's specialist mental health service based at Hillmorton Hospital, who had been on community leave.

Other media have reported several staff members have resigned from the hospital since the incident.

But a statement from Jo Domigan, interim chief people officer of Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha Canterbury, which has replaced the CDHB, said there have been no resignations from the forensic mental health service since the incident.

"We are working with all affected staff and have support in place," she said.

Laisa Waka Tunidau has been named as the victim in Saturday's fatal stabbing in Christchurch. Photo / Facebook

Tunidau's s 11-year-old son has reportedly been left "traumatised" after watching emergency services try to save a woman outside his family home, not then knowing it was his mother.

On Monday, the man charged with Tunidau's murder appeared in court and was remanded in custody.

A judge ordered reports to assess the man's mental health.

A full review has been launched by health board bosses following the incident.

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) announced it is carrying out a review after days of questions into how the 37-year-old man was allowed into the community.

Health Minister Andrew Little. Photo / Jed Bradley

Health Minister Andrew Little today said mental health services are expected to work at a capacity that is safe for them.

This is why Hilmorton Hospital made the decision to only utilise 12 beds even though there are 15 on-site, he said.

"Because they determined sometime last year that it wasn't safe for them to work with the full 15."

But there are unanswered questions around how the man was released from the mental health unit.

National MP Gerry Brownlee, who is based in Christchurch, said the review needs to make it clear where the failings were.

He said someone made the decision to let the man out despite his dangerous circumstances.