Tawa Homicide Investigation update

Porirua Police CIB have launched an inquiry following the discovery of the body of a 33-year-old woman at a Sunrise Boulevard address in Tawa, Wellington.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam says "Shortly before 8.00am this morning ambulance staff advised Police that a woman's body had been located.

"The occupant is 33-year-old mother of two sons Amanda Dawn TAUFALE who appears to have died a violent death.

"Police wish to speak to 38-year-old Ernest SMITH, who is believed to be a close associate of the victim TAUFALE.

"Police are appealing for any sightings of TAUFALE, SMITH, or SMITH's vehicle around the Tawa area.

"In particular, Police are seeking any sightings of the vehicle in Sunrise Boulevard or Takapu Road Railway Station areas since Wednesday 14 November 2012.

"The vehicle is a late model blue Toyota Corolla hatchback, registration GMB108

"A 24-hour free-phone number has been setup for the inquiry.

Police are encouraging anyone with any information to call 0800 485 380", says Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111.

At present there are over 35 Police staff working on the inquiry.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>