Teenager admits manslaughter after 16-year-old was fatally stabbed at Christchurch Airbnb party

Ten days before his trial, a teenager pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he fatally stabbed a 16-year-old boy at a birthday party at an Airbnb in Christchurch.

Khanye Eruera Harimate Te HueHue, 18, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Zion Purukamu when he appeared in Christchurch High Court on Thursday.

Zion died after being attacked at his girlfriend’s 17th birthday party in Fendalton in August last year.

Te HueHue was originally charged with murder, but the charge was downgraded to manslaughter when he appeared in court on Thursday. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

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These latest charges relate to two other teenagers, aged 14 and 17, who were also seriously stabbed at the party.

According to the summary of facts, Zion and several of his friends attended a birthday party at a house in Medbury Tce on August 13 last year. The group was called “the Rowley Boys” because a number of them came from Rowley Ave in Hoon Hay.

The party took place in a house rented as an Airbnb property. Around 80 people attended after the birthday girl sent out invitations via Instagram.

Te HueHue arrived at the party around 10 p.m. with two associates. The two groups did not know each other.

At some point in the evening, Zion and his friend confronted Te HueHue about kissing a girl they considered too drunk. They told Te HueHue to leave, but he refused and a physical altercation ensued.

Several of the Rowley Boys chased Te HueHue down the street and then to a nearby property. The group eventually returned to the driveway of the Medbury Tce house where the altercation continued.

At some point, Te HueHue pulled a knife out of his clothes and stabbed Zion in the abdomen and back. One of the stab wounds punctured Zion’s aorta.

Zion staggered and crossed the road before falling to the ground.

Zion’s 14-year-old friend did not realize that Zion had been stabbed and continued to fight with Te HueHue, during which the friend was stabbed in the chest.

Te HueHue started running alongside Medbury Tce and the 14-year-old tried to chase after him before falling to the ground.

Another friend of Zion, a 17-year-old boy who was not involved in the fight, was standing on Medbury Tce at the time. Te HueHue stabbed the 17-year-old as he ran past, causing a severe laceration to his spleen.

Partygoers administered first aid to the three critically injured victims and called emergency services. Zion was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

The 14- and 17-year-olds were also rushed to hospital where they were admitted to intensive care. The 14-year-old suffered a single stab wound to the chest which punctured his lung, while the 17-year-old suffered a stab wound to the chest which lacerated his spleen.

When questioned by police, Te HueHue admitted to stabbing all three victims, but said it was in self-defense.

When this part of the summary of facts was read out in court, Zion’s family and supporters in the public gallery reacted angrily. They shouted obscenities at Te HueHue who stared straight ahead in the dock, telling him to kill himself and that he should “break every bone in your body.”

Judge Gerald Nation intervened, asking them to shut up and respect the legal process.

When Te HueHue’s family left the court after the adjournment of proceedings, one of Zion’s supporters kicked the family as they walked out. Police and security personnel intervened between the two groups to prevent an altercation.

Te HueHue was remanded in custody to be sentenced on March 14.