The man who died following an alleged assault at a Papatoetoe bus stop has been identified as 61-year-old Peter Te Kira, Stuff has reported.
According to police, Te Kira was found unconscious with a serious head injury at a bus stop on Great South Road, Papatoetoe, around 2.15pm on Sunday. He was taken to the intensive care unit at Auckland Hospital, where he died on Wednesday night.
Auckland Transport confirmed that Te Kira had been a passenger on one of its buses.
Mikaele Ah Fook, 34, was arrested and charged with assaulting Te Kira, who was identified as the victim in court documents. He is scheduled to reappear in the Manukau District Court on May 22.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, who is leading the investigation, said in a statement released on Thursday that further charges may be laid.
In a tribute posted to Facebook, Te Kira’s daughter said the family was sharing the news of his passing with “heavy hearts”. The post also stated that Te Kira died peacefully, surrounded by his children and whānau.
Auckland Transport’s Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten, said the organisation was saddened and concerned to hear of the incident involving a passenger assault on Sunday afternoon in Papatoetoe. She added that everyone deserved to move freely around Auckland without fear for their safety, whether walking, waiting at a bus stop, driving, cycling, or using public transport.
Van der Putten said Auckland Transport was supporting police with their investigation but would not comment further as the matter was before the courts.
Hayward said police were working to establish how Te Kira sustained his injuries. He noted that the incident was not being treated as random and that both men were known to each other. He described the event as having resulted in a tragic outcome and said police were ensuring support was available for the family.
This is the second violent incident at an Auckland bus stop in recent weeks. On April 19, American doctoral student Kyle Whorrall, 33, was allegedly attacked in St Johns by individuals travelling in a black SUV. He later died of his injuries in Auckland Hospital.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, who is overseeing that investigation, said police believed a “long” weapon was used in the attack, which he described as “senseless”.
A 16-year-old male has been charged with aggravated robbery and murder in relation to Whorrall’s death. He appeared in the Auckland District Court last Thursday and was remanded in custody to reappear in the High Court in May. Due to his age, he was granted automatic name suppression.
Additionally, a 32-year-old woman from the North Shore has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. She appeared in the Auckland District Court on Thursday, was granted name suppression, and is set to reappear on May 14.
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