A memorial for Paige Johnson, a 24-year-old man who died following an alleged hit-and-run in Rotorua, has been destroyed in a fire. The incident has deeply affected his grieving family, who say the memorial was a vital place of comfort and remembrance.

The memorial, located at the Edmund Rd pedestrian crossing where Johnson was struck, was set ablaze overnight. Alongside the flowers, hand-crafted items left in tribute—such as small shoes, a hat, a butterfly, and a can—were also stolen. This is the third time in two weeks that the flowers have been damaged, with previous instances involving the burning of their tops.

Johnson, who was deaf and blind, was hit by a motorcycle on June 15 while attempting to cross the road. He succumbed to his injuries three days later in the hospital. The motorcyclist fled the scene, prompting a 10-day search. On June 25, a man was charged with his manslaughter. A second individual has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact and with unrelated offenses, including possession of a shotgun and cultivating cannabis.

Johnson’s sister, Natika Matthews, expressed her heartbreak over the destruction of the memorial, calling the act "horrible and disrespectful." She emphasized the cultural significance of the site in Māori traditions, noting that disturbing such memorials is considered tapu—sacred—and could bring bad luck. She also highlighted the emotional importance of the site for Johnson’s friends, many of whom are disabled and needed a tangible connection to his memory.

"This was one way of not being sad anymore and going there was a way of releasing it. It was our little outlet," Matthews said. Despite the damage, the family remains resolute in their efforts to keep the memorial intact. They have already replaced some of the burnt flowers and plan to continue doing so, regardless of the challenges.

The family has worked diligently to maintain the site, watering the flowers to prevent further damage. Matthews mentioned that it is unclear whether the vandals were acting out of malice or boredom. Despite this uncertainty, the family remains committed to preserving the memorial as a place of healing and remembrance.

The accused in the case, Riki Ronald Edward Lum, is set to appear in the High Court in Rotorua on Friday. The second individual, who has been granted interim name suppression, will appear in the Rotorua District Court on Monday.

Johnson’s memorial was not only a tribute to his life but also a symbol of the community's efforts to support his grieving family. The destruction of the site has sparked outrage and calls for justice, both for the loss of Johnson and for the violation of the family's healing space.

As the legal process unfolds, the community remains united in their support for the Johnson family and their call for accountability for those responsible for the damage to the memorial.