Supplied
Shayden “Kenana” Perkinson, 25, died from stab wounds on April 15.
A Whangārei demonstration planned for Sunday aims to honour petrol station stabbing victim Shayden “Kenana” Perkinson and find local solutions to fight crime.
Perkinson died on April 15 outside the Gull station in Raumanga. Two men, aged 24 and 29, have been charged with his murder.
His death inspired the formation of Whangārei Stand-Up, a group protesting against violence and crime in the community.
The group, which has nearly 4000 Facebook members, encouraged about 500 people to line the streets for Perkinson’s funeral procession.
READ MORE:
* Duo accused of Whangārei murder granted name suppression, in hospital
* Whangārei community calls for action on violent crime after petrol station death
* Four arrested in homicide investigation of young man in Whangārei
Organiser Zee Tana said the group will also be organising a demonstration in Whangārei on Sunday and have the blessing of Perkinson’s family to walk in his honour.
The event also aims to provide a platform for people to voice their concerns, an opportunity for different groups to hear each other and a chance to discuss local solutions, he said.
Supplied
The 25-year-old was killed outside the Gull Service Station in Whangarei’s Raumanga.
Tana envisaged solutions would include the formation of community networks or strengthened neighbourhood support groups, advice on how to de-escalate violent situations and information for business owners.
He also hoped to see more help offered to those groups committing crime, which he believed were desperate and relying on crime “to get by”.
Those in need of more help included those addicted to methamphetamine, 501s deported from Australia, youth and those who have been in prison, he said.
“If we approach it more from a health and wellbeing point-of-view rather than saying, ‘that’s a criminal, let’s call the police’ – that doesn’t work.”
Tana was realistic that the event would not be able to prevent all the crime in Whangārei but he hoped it would start to make a difference at a neighbourhood level.
The demonstration starts at 12pm at the Hihiaua Cultural Centre, marching to Pūtahi Park (next to the Hundertwasser Art Centre), with talks starting at 1.30pm.
Latest police statistics show crime in Whangārei, in the 12 months to 28 February 2023, rose nearly 30% on the year before, including assaults up 10% to 638.
ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF
Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson and Minister for Justice Kiritapu Allan respond to National’s youth crime policy. (First published November 17, 2022)
