Calls for National to honor its pre-election commitment, NZ's largest iwi and medical cannabis producer partnership and a road in Hokitika renamed in honor of Mayor Bruce Smith.
A 37-year-old man charged with murder after a woman was fatally stabbed on an Auckland bus this week has been remanded in custody to appear in the High Court in November.
Kael Austin Leona appeared via video link in the Auckland District Court today. He had a prominent face tattoo above his eyebrow, a shaved head and was wearing a blue windbreaker.
Leona’s lawyer said he was not seeking bail and asked for him to be remanded in custody without plea until his next appearance on charges of murder, threatening to kill, assault and burglary.
Marychurch, who was found with multiple stab wounds, died on Church St, Onehunga, just after 2.30pm on Wednesday.
‘I held her hand. She didn’t die alone’
Auckland City’s relieving district crime manager, Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson, yesterday said the investigation was still in its infancy.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident.”
She acknowledged the work of her investigation team, “who worked tirelessly to get this result for the victim and her family”.
Robertson also thanked the community for helping with police inquiries.
She said police would continue to be visible at all transport hubs across Auckland in the coming days.
”Places like bus stations and ferry terminals are important spaces for the public, and people should be free to use these areas without fear.
”Police know the community are concerned and we want them to know that their local police are continuing to take action.”
Bernice Marychurch was fatally stabbed on a bus in Onehunga about 2.30pm on Wednesday. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A woman on the bus told RNZ that fellow passengers tried to help the victim.
“I just want to let her family know that she didn’t die alone, that I held her hand in the bus until she got help and we did everything we could.”
Industry body the Bus and Coach Association said the industry was “rattled to the core”.
“We’re horrified by what’s happened and first and foremost our thoughts go out to the family of the victim,” said Delaney Myers, chief executive of the association.
“She should have been safe going about her own business and this is devastating.”
Myers praised the bus driver for his actions when the attack unfolded on the moving bus.
The Bus and Coach Association has praised the bus driver for his actions after the stabbing. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“We’re very proud of him. He acted with the utmost professionalism in a terrifying emergency situation and his actions potentially avoided harm to the other passengers.”
The association had spoken to the bus operator, Kinetic, which was ensuring the driver had the support he needed after witnessing such a traumatic incident. The driver has been signed off work to recover and has been offered counselling.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown told Newstalk ZB this morning that the Government would speed up plans to introduce protective screens for bus drivers.
