Poroporoaki ki a Senior Constable Len Snee

“Aue te tangi, aue te mamae o te ngakau i te hinganga o te toa!

“E Lennie, kei te rere nga roimata ki a koe, ki te tamaiti peke poho, wawahi taha; ki te tamaiti haututu; tamaiti whakatoi; ki te mokopuna poipoia e taku kuia i to taua tamarikitanga i roto o Takapau.

Ka pakeke koe, ka tu ki te muranga o te ahi, katahi koe ka mate i te mate o te toa. No reira e Lennie, haere ki o taua matua tipuna. Haere ki te Po! Haere ki te Po!

Ko matou ko te whanau pani e whakarerea mokemoke, ki te poroporoaki atu ki a koe. Ko matou e tangi ana i te mamae.

E te whanau pani, ka nui te aroha ki a koutou i tenei wa. E tangi! E tangi!

The Minister of Maori Affairs expressed his shock and distress at the death of Senior Constable Snee, who was killed in the line of duty in Napier today.

“Constable Snee and I both grew up in Takapau. I have known him all his life. Our families are inter-related. I regard him as a nephew.

“This shooting is a shocking event. I am so sorry for Senior Constable Snee’s family, who are so close to my own, so close to us all at Takapau.

“A death like this is a terrible reminder of our own mortality and vulnerability, and of the dangers of police work. I salute Len’s colleagues, and I hope all those who were wounded make a full recovery as quickly as possible.

Media contact: Andrew Robb 029- 482 8494 or 04- 817 6772