SHOCKING!!!!! Dead animals in mailbox, slashed tyres and death threats: Auckland family told to leave NZ
A WEST Auckland family has been harassed for weeks, culminating in a letter telling them to get out of the country, or the writer will "exterminate you myself". The campaign of hate began five weeks ago on May 26 when a car parked in the WEST Auckland family's garage and another out on the street had their tyres slashed. The mother, 35, who asked not be identified due to safety concerns, said she notified police but they had told her it was probably just mischievous teenagers. In an attempt to protect her family, she placed CCTV cameras all around the home to try to catch the perpetrators if they came back. On June 4 they did, and their cars were targeted again. A white car parked on the street was tagged with red spray paint all over its side. Despite contacting police again and passing on the CCTV footage, she said police told her it was too blurry to identify anyone, and no further action was taken. A week later on June 11, the mother saw CCTV footage of a person, she thought a teenager, placing a dead mouse in their mailbox. She ran outside and tried to catch the person but they ran away. Police were called again but nothing came of it, the mother said. After five days, on Sunday June 16, the perpetrators visited the home again and left a dead pigeon in the mailbox. In the most recent incident on Sunday night, a threatening letter was left in their mailbox which horrified the mother, prompting another call to police.
The letter read: "Get the f*** out of my country motherf***** before I exterminate you myself, your cat eating son of a b***." "[Police] came to our house straight away when the letter was in my mailbox. They brought four police cars with some dogs," the mother told. "But I do not understand why they could not find the guy … I still have not heard from the police about my case." Police Area Commander for Waitakere Inspector Stefan Sagar said they have spoken with the family and carried out a number of inquiries. "We will be continuing our inquiries, which will include speaking with neighbours on the street," Sagar said. "We would like to reassure the public that police take matters of this nature seriously and will do everything we can to hold whoever is responsible to account. "Police have spoken with the individuals concerned, have carried out a number of inquiries, including canvassing CCTV footage and undertaking a forensic analysis from the scene." The family, made up of the mother, her husband and two pre-school aged children, live in an otherwise quiet area of Massey, West Auckland. They moved to New Zealand a year ago from South Korea after hearing many great things about the country, including its low rates of crime. However, following a year without any hassles, the family is now on edge after being targeted in recent weeks. "I feel totally different while I am staying in Auckland. Especially after I have been through all these incidents, I feel even worse," the mother said. "I feel so worried and threatened ... if it was just one or two times of prank, then I could move on. "I do worry about my family's safety. I am a mum. What else can be the most important in my life rather than my children?" The mother said neighbours on the street had comforted the family following the incidents, with some checking on them each day to see that they are okay. Her boss and workplace had also been very accommodating and supporting. CCTV footage allegedly showing a person putting a dead mouse into the family's letterbox. "And all of my colleagues said it is their war, too. Because most of our colleagues have [an] international background," the mother said. "Many of them are foreigners who got work visas or whose parents immigrated with them. They feel this case is very offensive to them as well. "They said that we have to make many people acknowledging this case and we all try to make Auckland a better place." Sagar said police would like to speak with anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity throughout the Massey area over the past month. If anyone has information which could assist police in their investigation, Sagar said to get in touch with Sergeant Greg Wilson of Massey Police on 09 839 0600. Otherwise, information can be passed on anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori. Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below