Jamie Slater Found Responsible for Murdering Whatitiri Whakaruru at Hāwera Accommodation Complex

A tragic incident that began with a night of casual fun at a boarding complex in Hāwera, South Taranaki, turned fatal when Jamie Slater, also known as Jamie Shippey, stabbed 26-year-old Whatitiri Whakaruru in the heart with a chef's knife. The event, which occurred last year, has now reached a legal conclusion with Slater being found responsible for the death in a recent court hearing.

The Night That Changed Everything

On the evening of 22 April, guests at the Hāwera accommodation complex were engaged in a night of drinking, table tennis, and pool, with no signs of trouble. Slater had been playing table tennis earlier in the evening before retreating to his room. Later, he returned to the recreational area, where he met Whatitiri Whakaruru, his cousin Kingi Te Aroha Poutonga Keremeta, and a friend, Joseph Hori. The group was reportedly having a good time when Slater abruptly left the room, went to his bedroom, and returned with a 20cm chef’s knife.

Without warning, Slater approached Whakaruru and stabbed him in the chest. The wound was fatal, piercing the heart, and Whakaruru collapsed on a couch, bleeding heavily. Witnesses, including Keremeta and Hori, intervened, with Hori grabbing the knife and throwing it to the floor before assisting Whakaruru. Emergency services were called and arrived shortly after, but Whakaruru could not be revived.

Legal Proceedings and the Justice System’s Response

Slater was initially found unfit to stand trial on a charge of murder. However, in a recent High Court hearing in New Plymouth, Justice Peter Churchman ruled that Slater was responsible for the death based on a forensic psychiatrist's report. The report outlined Slater's significant behavioral and cognitive deficits, including impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and limited insight. Slater was deemed a high risk of reoffending and was ordered to be detained in a psychiatric hospital as a special patient.

The decision has left the whānau of Whakaruru deeply distressed. They expressed frustration that Slater appeared to have