A pōhutukawa tree has been planted in honour of Kyle Whorrall, the US PhD student slain during an attack at an Auckland bus stop last month.
The 33-year-old was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank on April 19, and died from his injuries in hospital.
More than 50 members of the community, friends and colleagues of Whorrall gathered for a vigil on April 24 at the bus stop where he was attacked.
Today, Whorrall’s mother Carole was joined by members of the community and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the blessing and to plant a pōhutukawa tree in honour of his life.
The planting ceremony began with a blessing by Otene Reweti from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, who provided the tree from their nursery.
“This tree will stand as a memorial to Kyle, and will draw people to be reminded, to come to this special place and remember Kyle and what he has done and what he was looking to do. It‘s about remembering,” he said.
“This tree indicates times to harvest different things in our seasons and also pōhutukawa in terms of the star from Matariki and pleiades, in that we remember those who have passed. So Kyle is one of those that we are reminded again of his tragic passing in this area,” said Reweti.
Holding back tears, Carole was flanked by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and one of Whorrall’s flatmates as she shovelled dirt onto the base of the tree.
She softly commented that she enjoyed gardening, as the sun shone down on her in St Johns Bush.
Others shared a poem or short tribute to Whorrall’s life and the tragedy that it was cut short.
Addressing the group, Ōrākei Local Board chairperson Scott Milne said that in times of tragedy it was important to “look at the good stuff” and find moments of connection with one another.
“We have now forged a relationship across the waters. This family will come back to see this tree thrive and out of that tragedy we will find good,” he said.
He told Te Karere the tragedy had “turned our community upside down”.
“Yet in the matter of a few short weeks, the community have come together certainly like nothing I have ever seen before.
“There is just this deep disappointment, that in this beautiful place, and we all feel so privileged to live here, that this shouldn’t happen.”
He said he hoped over time the grief would “turn to healing” and that Carole would continue to come back and see the tree flourish and grow.
“People understand they have to talk more to each other, watch out for one another and we want to make something of this lovely young man’s life by changing our attitude.”
He said the board had worked hard to build relationships over the past six years.
“The relationship with Ngāti Whātua is deeply personal and important to this board, and it is mutual, it flows both ways.”
Police investigation
A 16-year-old youth has been remanded in custody after being charged with his murder, and a 32-year-old woman was also charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact.
Previously, Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said the investigation was “by no means over” as police believed “there were other occupants in the vehicle” when Whorrall was attacked.
He said officers have since seized a black SUV on the North Shore, which was involved in the incident. It was being forensically examined by police.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest, and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us.”
The detective inspector said police were also seeking “critical witnesses”, including a white Toyota ute that was cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them.
He said police were still working to fully understand the events leading up to his death.
