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Please note this story contains details that may upset some readers.
The whānau of a woman, who was killed when her partner sloshed petrol on her and set her alight, have described the unmeasurable pain of losing their baby sister and not being able to say goodbye properly with an open coffin.
Poi Tinei, who showed no emotion at the sentencing, had previously admitted murdering Teao Ida Wiki and was responsible for 15 domestic violence call-outs in the years before the murder and defied a protection order.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to serve a minimum of 18 years behind bars by Justice Mathew Downs at the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Wiki’s whānau packed courtroom 6 where tears were shed as victim impact statements were read.
ABIGAIL DOUGHERTY/Stuff
It took firefighters between 30 and 40 minutes to get the fire under control.
Wiki, was known as Lumpy to her whānau, she was a much loved sister to 9, mother and grandmother.
“Lumpy died in horrendous circumstances no human should have to go through, and I am tormented at the thought of what she endured,” one sister said.
“Mr T, treated my sister as if she was nothing and burnt her as if she were rubbish.”
Another sister said her life has been shattered because of Tinei’s “monstrous actions”.
”Why would he take her precious life. Lumpy was loveable and a caring person. We as a whānau will continue to hold dearly our memories.”
Another of Wiki’s sisters spoke of the pain of hearing her grandchildren saying “wake up Nana” while the body lay in the closed coffin.
Dominic Wiki, Lumpy’s older brother, said the pain of not being able to say a proper goodbye due to the closed coffin was something he could not get over.
Over a three year on-again-off again relationship Tinei subjected Wiki to repeated violence.
By August 2022, the violence had reached the point where Tinei was issued a temporary protection order.
But the following month the pair got back together with Wiki moving in with Tinei, his mother, sister and brother on Nina Pl in Manurewa.
ABIGAIL DOUGHERTY/Stuff
Paul Borich KC was acting on behalf of Poi Tinei.
On the night of September 17, the couple were at a bar. An argument happened and Wiki left, driving to a family member’s house nearby.
The pair returned separately to the Nina Pl home where another argument broke out.
Tinei picked up a petrol can and began sloshing petrol over Wiki and around the room. He also doused a mattress.
One of the family members woke to the sound of a smoke alarm going off and saw smoke escaping from the gaps between Tinei’s bedroom door and the door frame. As he fled he could hear thumping and slapping coming from the room and Wiki yelling out “Mumma, Mumma… Help.”
When he got outside, he realised he was the first one out and headed back into the smoke to look for others. He went for his mother first and with the help of neighbours, got her out of the house.
In the hallway, he noticed Tinei’s bedroom door was open. His vision was impaired by smoke, but he was able to check the bathroom and other bedrooms and found no one else inside.
Tinei was already outside, watching the house burn.
Rather than helping his family douse the flames with a garden hose, Tinei “appeared to try to hinder their efforts”, court documents said.
“At no point did he alert emergency services staff to the fact that [Wiki] was inside and unaccounted for.”
The following day, police found Wiki’s body in the remains of the bathroom in the house. She was lying face down in the bath. Justice Downs said it seemed the victim had tried to save herself by lying in the bath.
David White/Stuff
Justice Mathew Downs sentenced Poi Tinei to life imprisonment on Wednesday.
The summary said she was also found to have soot in her lungs, suggesting she was alive when the fire was started.
A postmortem examination showed a wound above her eye. Justice Downs found Tinei had struck her after setting her alight.
Prosecutor Henry Benson-Pope submitted this was a brutal, callous murder after a background of serious threatening conduct by Tinei.
Benson-Pope said Tinei has shown little, if any, insight into the harm he caused Wiki over the years.
The point of contention between the Crown and defence lawyer Paul Borich KC was how long Tinei should spend behind bars before being eligible for parole. Benson-Pope said a minimum of 19 and a half years, while Borich submitted no more than 17.
Borich, said any case involving burning is horrific. He said Tinei has always been genuinely sorry for what he has done and is willing to engage in restorative justice.
Justice Downs said Tinei abused Wiki’s trust in the most significant way imaginable.
“Mr Tinei, your actions continue to send waves throughout your own family, the victim’s family and wider community. That shock will endure for years,” Justice Downs said.
Justice Downs said Tinei’s actions were not out of the blue.
“You appeared to regard the use of fire as an instrument of control. In pouring petrol over the victim and around the bedroom you deliberately risked a very serious blaze to the home and in turn others lives.”
The judge acknowledged Wiki’s whānau in court and thanked them for their respect, courtesy and politeness.
Where to get help for domestic violence
- Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843 (females only)
- Shine Free call 0508 744 633 between 9am and 11pm (for men and women)
- 1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 to talk to a trained counsellor.
- Kidsline 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.
- What’s Up 0800 942 8787 (for 5 to 18-year-olds). Phone counselling available Monday-Friday, noon-11pm and weekends, 3pm-11pm. Online chat is available 3pm-10pm daily.
- Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz, or find online chat and other support options here.
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 111.
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