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Offender Databases James Te Moana-Takao

James Te Moana-Takao

Alias

.

Offences

Stabbed his brother to death with a steak knife at their Whakatane home in November 2006

Victims

.

Offender Affiliations

.

Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1992

Current Location

At large

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to 24 months imprisonment in June 2007
Released statutorily November 2007

Background
From the Daily Post (Rotorua) June 2007
The stabbing followed a day of drinking at the family home which started about 10am. At 9.30pm, an argument developed between the brothers and James grabbed a steak knife and stabbed Glenn, piercing his heart. Justice Harrison said James was heavily intoxicated because his parents had allowed him to drink with Glenn. "Their degree of neglect of responsibility is beyond what I've ever experienced before. I hope I never encounter it again." He told James he and his brother were the "victims" of their parents' neglect. After James serves his prison sentence, Justice Harrison has ordered him to be released into the care of the Department of Child, Youth and Family.

His order comes despite efforts by the Te Moana-Takao whanau to restore peace to their house. In the seven months they've spent waiting for James' sentencing, they have banned alcohol from the family home. As well as going to visit him in a secured Child, Youth and Family facility, the couple make daily trips to Ruatoki where Glenn is buried. The brothers' parents, Wi Ivan Takao and Marlene Te Moana, proudly display photographs of both boys on almost every wall in their home. "We've made a few changes since that night in November," Mr Takao told the Daily Post in an interview before yesterday's sentencing. "This house is now alcohol-free, something we have done for our kids. "But he admits it's something he wishes he had done earlier. Mrs Te Moana said her two eldest children were close when they were growing up.

"A big part of their childhood was spent with their koro and Nan out at Ruatoki," she said. "They loved being outside. Going hunting and fishing and spending nights out in the bush with their koro was when they were happiest." Their koro died when Glenn was about 6. That's when the two boys came to the attention of youth agencies. But Glenn managed to collect several kapa haka and sporting trophies while at school." They used to wrestle and have karate fights when they were growing up but they would always end up laughing and then they were best friends again," Mr Takao said. James made peace with his brother at his tangi. "We left James alone to talk with Glenn and he broke down - but only after then was he able to eat and sleep." He thought the whole whanau would have been against him but that's not our way," Mrs Te Moana said. "All the family have given him and us the support needed to get through."

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Corrections and Additional Information
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