Northland Hīkoi: Honoring 3-Year-Old Victim

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Community Hīkoi Honors Catalya Remana in Kaikohe After Tragic Loss

More Than 400 People Participated In A Hīkoi (Procession) Through The Main Street Of kaikohe, New Zealand, To Commemorate The Life Of Three-Year-Old Catalya remana Tangimetua-Pepene. This Event Followed The Tragic Death Of The Toddler,which Has Devastated The Northland Town.

The Hīkoi, Held Recently, served As A Powerful Display Of community Solidarity And Grief, With Participants Seeking To Honor CatalyaS Memory And Support Her Family During This Tough Time. A 45-Year-Old Man Has Been Charged In Connection With Her Death.

A Town United In Grief And Remembrance

The Procession Commenced At The Top Of Broadway, Near The Housing Complex Where Catalya Lived, And Proceeded through The Heart Of kaikohe. Led By The Kaikohe Piriwiritua Rātana Brass Band, The Hīkoi Included families, Young children, And Community Leaders, All United In Their Desire To Pay Tribute To The Young girl.

Catalya Reman Tongametu-Pepepe.
Photo: Supplied

Participants Wore Luminous Colors And Carried Balloons And Bubbles, Reflecting The Joy And Light That catalya Brought To those Around Her. Neighbors Described Her Smile As One That “Lit Up The whole World,” Making Her Loss Even More Painful For The Community.

Emotional Tributes And Community Support

By The Time The Hīkoi Reached The Green At The Former Kaikohe Hotel Site, The Crowd Had Grown To Approximately 500 People. Community Leaders Addressed The Gathering, Offering Words Of Comfort And Encouragement. Children Engaged In Activities Such As Coloring Contests And played On Bouncy Castles, Providing A Moment Of Respite Amidst The Grief.

Community Leaders Front The Hīkoi As It Makes Its Way Down Broadway.
Photo: RNZ / Peter De Graaf

For Many, The Day Was Filled With Emotion. Sharon Harris, one Of Catalya’s Godmothers, Shared Her Heartfelt Memories, Describing Catalya’s Infectious smile And Expressing Gratitude For The Overwhelming Support From The Community. Fighting Back Tears,She Noted How The Hīkoi,While Comforting,Also Deepened Her Sense Of Loss.

Calls For Unity And Action

Universal Lamer, An Organizer From The Civilization Te Ranga Of The Hara, Emphasized The Importance Of Unity And celebration Of Catalya’s Life. The Kaupapa (Theme) Of The Event was “He Tapu Te mokopuna,” Which Translates To “All Children Are sacred,” Highlighting The Collective Responsibility To Protect And Care For All Children.

Rameka Expressed Satisfaction With The Turnout But Stressed The Need For Continued Action to Support Vulnerable children In The Community. This sentiment was echoed by Mike Shaw, A Community Leader And Pastor At Kaikohe’s Celebration Church, Who Noted The Profound impact Of The Tragedy On The Small Town.

Many Marchers Turned Up With Balloons Or Brightly Colored Clothing.
Photo: RNZ / Peter De Graaf

Addressing Systemic Issues

Shaw Raised Concerns About The Practice Of Bringing High-Needs Families Into Kaikohe, A Town Already Facing Numerous Challenges. He Advocated For Increased Support And Pastoral Care Within Social Housing Complexes To Provide Immediate Assistance To Residents In Need And Prevent Escalation Of Problems.

Despite The Tragedy, Shaw Emphasized That Catalya’s Death Was Not Indicative Of A Broader Pattern Of Decline In Kaikohe. He Affirmed That Most families In The Town Are Loving And Supportive, Expressing Optimism For The Future While Acknowledging The High Needs Within The Community.

Did You Know? According To A 2023 Report By Unicef New Zealand, Investment In Early Childhood Intervention Programs Can Significantly Reduce Long-Term Social Costs.

Looking Towards The Future

Former Māori Affairs minister Dover Samuels Highlighted The Importance Of Families Taking Responsibility For Their Own Well-Being, Rather Than Relying Solely On Government Intervention. He Identified Drugs And Alcohol As Major Contributors To Family Dysfunction.

Government Minister Shane Jones Echoed these Sentiments,Asserting That Catalya’s Death Was A Result Of Moral Decay,drug Culture,And A Loss Of Responsibility. He Praised The Hīkoi For Placing The Focus Back On Families to Intervene And prevent Situations From Reaching Crisis Points.

The person Charged In Connection With Catalya’s Death Is Scheduled To Appear In The High Court At Whangārei On June 11. The Individual’s Name Is currently Suppressed Under An Interim Order. The Community Continues To Mourn And Seek Ways To Prevent Similar tragedies In The Future.

Summary Of Key Participants And Their Views

Participant	Role	Key Viewpoint
Sharon Harris	Catalya’s Godmother	Heartened By Community Support, But Deeply Saddened By The Loss.
Universal Lamer	Hīkoi Organizer	Emphasized The Sacredness Of All Children And The Need For Community Unity.
Mike Shaw	Community Leader & Pastor	Advocated For Increased Support And Pastoral Care For Vulnerable Families.
Dover Samuels	Former Māori Affairs Minister	Stressed The Importance Of Family Responsibility And Addressing Root Causes Like Drug Abuse.
shane jones	Government Minister	Highlighted Moral Decay And Drug Culture As Contributing Factors To The Tragedy.

Understanding Community grief And Healing

The Loss Of A Child Can Have A Profound Impact On A Community.Grief Manifests Differently In Individuals,But Collective Mourning,like The Hīkoi In Kaikohe,Can Provide A Sense Of Solidarity And Support. such Events Can Help Community Members Process Their Emotions, share Memories, And Find Comfort In One Another.

Community-Led Initiatives, Such As Support Groups, Counseling Services, And Educational Programs, Can Play A Crucial Role In Fostering Healing And Resilience After a Tragedy. By Addressing The Underlying Issues That Contribute To Vulnerability, Communities Can Work towards Preventing Future Incidents. According To A 2024 Study By The New Zealand Mental Health Foundation, Community-Based Support Systems Are Vital For Trauma Recovery.

Pro Tip: Engaging In Open And Honest Dialog About Grief Can Help Individuals And Communities heal More Effectively. Encouraging Dialogue And Providing Safe Spaces For Sharing Experiences Are Key.

Preventing Future Tragedies

Preventing Future Tragedies Requires A Multi-Faceted Approach That Addresses Both Immediate Needs And Systemic Issues. this Includes Strengthening Family Support Systems, Improving Access To Mental Health Services, And Addressing Social Determinants Of Health Such As Poverty, Housing Instability, And Substance Abuse.

Community Collaboration Is Essential. Local Organizations, Government Agencies, And Residents must Work Together To Identify And Address The Root Causes Of Vulnerability. By Investing In Early Intervention Programs, Providing Resources For at-Risk Families, And Promoting A Culture of Care And Support, Communities Can Create A Safer And More Nurturing Environment For All Children. What steps can local communities take to proactively support families and children? How can individuals contribute to creating a safer environment for children in their neighborhoods?

frequently Asked Questions About The Kaikohe Hīkoi