Stabbing suspect held in police lockup

Young locals visited the scene of the killing outside Avondale College yesterday to pay their respects. Picture / Martin Sykes

A 16-year-old charged following the death of an Avondale College student is in police custody because there are no beds available for him at the Youth Justice Centre.

The Mt Wellington teen appeared in the Auckland Youth Court yesterday on a charge of assault and another of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He is expected to face a charge of murdering 14-year-old Manaola Kaumeafaiva, who died outside Avondale College after attending a church function on Sunday night.

It is alleged the accused also stabbed a 16-year-old rushing to help Mana and chased another person with a knife.

The court heard the youth would have to spend the night in the police cells because he was tenth on a list of people waiting for beds at the Youth Justice Centre.

The teen was remanded in custody and told he would have to reappear in court daily until a bed became available at the centre.

Child, Youth and Family intensive services manager Ken Rand told the Herald it was not ideal for any young person to be in police cells but from time to time there was a "spate of serious offences" that led to an overflow.

"When it is necessary for a young person to be held in a police cell they are seen every day by a social worker to assess their wellbeing and any ongoing needs."

On average, Mr Rand said, two young offenders were in police custody each day but efforts were being made to reduce the number in cells and the time they spent there.

There are currently 102 Youth Justice beds at centres in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch and plans are under way for a new 40-bed facility in Rotorua.

Avondale College, which was closed yesterday so police and forensics staff could complete their scene examinations, will reopen today with trauma counsellors on hand to help students and teachers.

Principal Brent Lewis said Mana's death was a random, senseless incident which no one could have predicted. The victim was a "lively, very likeable, popular young man who had the affection of staff and students alike".

Mr Lewis said any student who wanted help to deal with Mana's violent death would get it.

"There is a big heart to this place [the college]. We talk about the Avondale family and it is times like this we find out how real that is."

He said at this morning's school assembly students would be told what had happened, to stop rumours.

Extra counsellors were at the school yesterday working with staff, who had all been issued with kits "with a briefing document and processes on what to say and what to do", Mr Lewis said.

There would be no attempt to keep anything from the students.

Groups of young people had gathered near the college yesterday to remember their friend.

Walter, a mate of Mana's, told TV3's Campbell Live last night: "We just came up ... all the boys, all the friends ... same thing we did yesterday. Sing some songs ... pray, pray for them, pray for Mana, pray for the parents, pray for us boys. Mana, he was a good guy, eh? Friendly, funny, laughing all the time.

"He'd always have a smile on his face rain or shine. I was pretty shocked ... I was right there in front of him when he died. I was pretty shocked, eh, 'cause we were just minding our own business."

The weekend's double stabbing has highlighted the issue of underage drinking, following comments that Mana was intoxicated and had gone outside the school gates to sober up.

A guard said the teen was sitting down having a cigarette when he was stabbed in what police described as a "random act of fatal violence".

Police Minister Annette King said she was concerned issues surrounding the drinking age kept coming up and she would be voting to have it raised.

"There's abuse of alcohol and drugs, and I think we as a Parliament have to look at that issue."

Ms King said alcohol was only one of several issues that needed to be addressed, including parental responsibility.

- Additional reporting Mike Houlahan, NZPA