Police Are Urgently Seeking Haami Hanara

Authorities in New Zealand are urgently seeking Haami Hanara, a 21-year-old man whose criminal past includes a now-quashed murder conviction. Hanara is currently wanted by police for his involvement in the stabbing death of Kelly Donner in 2018. He is believed to be in the Flaxmere area and is described as 168cm tall, of medium build, and with a cast on his right arm. Police have issued a strong warning to the public not to approach him, emphasizing the potential risk he poses.

On the night of March 4, 2018, Hanara, then just 14 years old, participated in an attack on Kelly Donner, a homeless man who was sleeping rough in Flaxmere. During the incident, Hanara used a knife to stab Donner multiple times, including in the upper chest, left shoulder, and twice in the neck. One of the wounds severed Donner’s carotid artery, leading to his death at the scene. Other youths involved in the attack also stomped and kicked the victim before fleeing the area.

Hanara was initially sentenced to life imprisonment for murder in 2019, but this conviction was later overturned by the Court of Appeal. He then admitted to manslaughter and was sentenced to two years and seven-and-a-half months in prison by Justice Christine Grice. This sentence meant Hanara was immediately released from prison after serving time for a previous conviction.

During court proceedings, it was revealed that Hanara had no memory of his mother and spent most of his childhood with his father. Oranga Tamariki, the government agency responsible for children in care, was involved in his life as early as six months old. From the age of nine, Hanara used drugs regularly and has been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability.

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant and contact emergency services immediately if they see Hanara. The reference number for this case is 250719/1721. Officers have emphasized the importance of not engaging with Hanara, as his history of violence and mental health challenges pose a serious risk to the community.

As this case continues to unfold, it raises important questions about the justice system’s handling of juvenile offenders with complex mental health needs. While Hanara’s conviction was quashed, the tragic death of Kelly Donner remains a painful reminder of the consequences of violent crime. The community is now left to grapple with the possibility that a young man with a troubled past may once again be on the loose.