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Shooting victim Halatau Naitoko was a compassionate man with a loving heart who would want forgiveness over his death, mourners heard today.
Pastor Tupou Toetu’u led four other ministers in an emotional service at Mr Naitoko’s home today that included Bible readings and hymns.
Pastor Vosailangi Sikalu’s words were translated as he addressed the congregation and spoke of forgiveness and salvation.
“To Mum, Dad and the family, to the Church and to the Tongan community of Aotearoa, my blood is only crying out for forgiveness,” he said.
“Even to the beloved policeman who fired the fatal shot, my blood has been shed but is only crying out for forgiveness.
“Little did I know my obedience would lead me to the end of my life in this world.”
Pastor Sikalu also compared life to a woman giving birth “In this life we groan and moan but when we reach eternity there is joy and blessing.”
Another speaker talked about Mr Naitoko’s education, his job working for Courier Express and his sporting interests.
He was a loving and devoted father to his two-year-old daughter, mourners heard.
An aunt told the congregation Mr Naitoko was killed in the line of duty as his life was just starting to unfold.
His girlfriend, Stephanie Cook, and his baby, Hemo, were his dream. He had a loving heart and much compassion and hope for the future, she said.
The congregation sang the hymn Dance in my Soul in English and Tongan.
There were emotional scenes after the service as pall bearers carried Mr Naitoko’s casket down the family driveway.
His partner and mother wept as flowers were placed over the white coffin and inside the waiting hearse.
More than 300 mourners gathered at Mangere Cemetery for Mr Naitoko’s burial.
Tributes flow
Mourners began arriving at the Mangere East house as early as 6am today and filed past Mr Naitoko’s casket as Tongan hymns were sung.
Inside the chapel, all seats were taken and 200 more people spilled out onto the street.
Among the mourners are Police Commissioner Howard Broad, Police Minister Judith Collins, Mangere MP Su’a William Sio, Manukau Mayor Len Brown, Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples and other politicians.
Some of those gathered this morning were wearing t-shirts saying: “In loving memory of Halatau Naitoko”.
On the back was a picture of him with the words: “May he rest in Paradise”.
Many mourners wore traditional ta’ovala, a woven Tongan flax dress.
The family earlier held a brief private ceremony.
Family grieves
Mr Naitoko’s body, dressed in white, had been at the family home since Sunday night, accompanied around the clock by family members, relatives and friends.
Family spokesman Peter Sykes said some family members stayed overnight to attend this morning’s private ceremony. “It is their chance to grieve Halatau’s leaving and come to terms with that themselves,” he said.
“A lot of respect has been shown so people coming have come with a lot of dignity.”
He said thousands had visited the family in the days since the shooting and local businesses had donated items to assist with providing hospitality at the funeral.
“The immediate community has allowed so much intrusion into their private spaces.”
Mr Naikoto’s mother Ivoni Fuimaono is expected to give birth to a son – her 10th child – within hours of the funeral.
She has said she will name him Halatau after her dead son.
Mr Naitoko’s brother Paea Fangu Fangu, 16, said the day was one of great sadness.
“I am feeling very sad. I just want to speak to the person that killed my brother and asked him why he took my brother away from us,” he said as traditional hymns of farewell were sung at the family home.
‘Role model’
Family friend Sosefo Sime told nzherald.co.nz Mr Naitoko was a “very responsible young man”.
“He was a hard worker, friendly and he would go out of his way to help someone.”
Mr Sime said Mr Naitoko was a role model “especially holding down a job with a family at such a young age”.
“Anything you asked him to do, he’d always do with a smile.”
Mr Naitoko, a courier driver, was accidentally shot by police last week on Auckland’s northwestern motorway.
He died in the crossfire as police shot at a man who had led them on a high speed pursuit from west Auckland.
Stephen McDonald, 50 was later charged with 29 offences including 10 of using a firearm against police and is due back in Auckland District Court next week.
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