Police name teen girl killed after stab to the neck

Police have named the 16-year-old girl who died after being stabbed in the neck with a knife, in Turangi on Saturday night.

Melissa Moana Puhi, from Turangi, died after an altercation with another 16-year-old girl in Patikura Place, Turangi.

Turangi police Detective Sergeant Neale Saunders said Miss Puhi had stepped into an argument between the offender and another girl.

The argument escalated into a physical fight and Miss Puhi was stabbed in the neck with a knife, he said.

Miss Puhi was pronounced dead soon after she arrived at Taupo Hospital.

Both the Miss Puhi and the girl charged with murder were from Turangi and had grown up together, he said.

There was no indication there was an on-going dispute between the two and it seemed to be a chance encounter, he said.

A 16-year-old girl charged with murder was to appear in Rotorua District Court today.

- NZPA