Teenager Appeals Sentence for Fatal Stabbing of Schoolboy in Dunedin

A 14-year-old boy, whose identity is permanently suppressed, has launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence for the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren at the Dunedin bus hub last year. The teenager was sentenced to three years and three months in prison for manslaughter after being found not guilty of murder in a High Court trial in June 2025.

The incident, which shocked the Dunedin community, occurred on May 23, 2024, during a brief altercation. The two boys did not know each other prior to the incident. According to witnesses, the confrontation began when Taana-McLaren told the younger boy to pull his socks up and used derogatory language. This led to a verbal exchange, which escalated into a physical altercation, with the 14-year-old producing a knife and stabbing Taana-McLaren in the chest.

The incident was captured on CCTV and cellphone footage, which played a significant role in the trial. The court heard that the defendant had previously been a victim of assault and robbery, and had started carrying a knife out of fear. His defense argued the stabbing was an act of self-defense, while the Crown maintained it was a deliberate act, citing evidence that the teen had chased Taana-McLaren before the stabbing occurred.

At sentencing, Justice Robert Osborne set a starting point of seven years' imprisonment but applied discounts for the defendant's age, time on bail, remorse, and potential for rehabilitation. However, he rejected an application for a discharge without conviction, stating it would likely lead to deportation.

Taana-McLaren’s family expressed disappointment with the sentence. His father, John McLaren, said the three-year term was