'Healing starts with coming together': Papatoetoe holds vigil for children and father

The Ōtara-Papatoetoe community has come together to pay respects to the two children and their father found dead in their home.

Ōtara-Papatoetoe local leaders organised a vigil after a Cambridge Terrace resident asked for a place for the community to gather following the deaths of Dahlia, six, Hunter, nine, and Edward Courtenay James Neville, 40.

Neighbours, council facility staff, community leaders and emergency responders gathered in a Papatoetoe carpark on Monday for karakia and condolences.

The gathering was held away from the bereaved family’s Cambridge Terrace home to respect their wishes.

Members of the community hugged one another, while some held flowers.

Local board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia said that while neighbours asked for the gathering, its significance reached beyond the street.

Watch District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray’s update on the Papatoetoe investigation below.

People from the wider Papatoetoe community attended, including council facility workers who had known the family.

“So it was more of an opportunity for our people to come in, as you say, to give their condolences and give karakia.

“And people are hurting out there, in particular the family, but this was for the community just to come do their part as well to stand together.”

Flowers, soft toys and messages left outside the Cambridge Terrace home where two children and their father were found dead. Photo/PMN News/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata.

The father and two children were found dead on Thursday evening.

Police say no one is being sought in connection with their deaths, and the investigation continues on behalf of the Coroner.

Manukau ward councillor Alf Filipaina said the gathering began with an email to the board chair from a resident asking for a vigil and prayer for the family and community.

“The family's wishes were: please do not have the prayer karakia outside the home.”

Filipaina said the gathering also allowed people to acknowledge first responders and staff who knew the family through local facilities.

Etevise Ioane, a local resident, said she did not know the family but lived nearby and felt moved to attend.

Etevise Ioane attended the community vigil to offer prayers and condolences, despite not knowing the family. Photo/PMN News/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata.

“I saw the news, and I also saw the invitation to come and pray with our community. So since the news, we've been praying in solidarity with the whanau, the family and our community.”

Local board deputy chair Vi Hausia, who lives in Papatoetoe, said the resident’s request reflected a need for people to support each other.

“I think people are feeling worried, feeling confused, feeling scared, so I think just coming together like this supports us in supporting each other.”

The impact extended to people who did not personally know the family, he said.

Community members and police officers gather for karakia and condolences at Monday’s vigil in Papatoetoe. Photo/PMN News/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata

“We might not have known, we don't know everybody who lives in Papatoetoe personally, but when things like this happen, whether you know them or not, it really does affect everyone's lives and everyone's families.”

Hausia urged people to remember the grieving family behind the public interest in the deaths.

“There's still an investigation being going on. And there's likely to be things that we will never know. But just remember that behind this, there's a family that's grieving and a community that's grieving as well.”

Ngāti Ōtara Marae chair Chris Pomare helped lead the gathering, offering karakia and support.

“Maybe not everyone knew the family or knew what had happened, but they were here to give their support in terms of their aroha,” Pomare said.

Counties Manukau West Area Commander Inspector Dave Christoffersen said the impact extends across the community.

Ngāti Ōtara Marae kaumātua Chris Pomare at the community vigil in Papatoetoe. Photo/PMN News/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata.

“The ripple effect goes on and is wide. But the healing starts with coming together.”

He thanked Auckland Council for organising the gathering while respecting the family’s wishes, and acknowledged the ongoing distress.

“On behalf of the police, we acknowledge your grief, and we acknowledge the trauma that will go on, and we'll continue to play our part as best we can,” he told those gathered.

Manukau ward councillor Lotu Fuli, who was unable to attend, said in a separate comment that she shared the community’s collective grief and extended sincere condolences to the whānau.

“I am also grateful to our local Kaumātua and leaders who came together this morning to offer karakia as a way to begin the healing process for the wider community.”

“Kia Kaha Papatoetoe.

Counties Manukau West Area Commander Inspector Dave Christoffersen addresses community members at Monday’s vigil in Papatoetoe. Photo/PMN News/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.