Northland Woman Admits to Murdering Cousin and Assaulting Partner in Jealousy-Driven Attack

A 48-year-old Northland woman has admitted to murdering her cousin and assaulting her partner in a violent incident fueled by jealousy, court documents reveal. Kaytee Ngaire Tahau, who worked as a cleaner at the Houhora Heads Holiday Park in the Far North, has pleaded guilty to the murder of Saralee Moke and the assault of Renee Bevan in April 2024. She will be sentenced for both crimes on October 10.

A Tragic Night of Jealousy and Violence

According to the Crown’s summary of facts, the incident occurred during a short visit by Bevan, Tahau’s partner, who had traveled from Australia. Moke, Tahau’s cousin, was also visiting and staying in a tent near the caravan where Tahau lived. The tensions began when Tahau accused her partner of having a romantic interest in her cousin, leading to a physical altercation.

On the night of the incident, Moke had hired a cabin as a gift for Tahau and Bevan, and the three women had drinks together, with all of them becoming significantly intoxicated. At some point, Tahau and Bevan went to the cabin and had more drinks before Tahau fell asleep. Bevan then visited Moke, and the two women had a few cigarettes and drinks together. When Bevan returned to the cabin, Tahau awoke angry that her partner had been with her cousin.

A scuffle ensued between Tahau and Moke, with both women punching and pulling each other’s hair. Tahau struck her cousin in the head with a mug before leaving the cabin. Bevan locked the door, fearing for her safety. After 15 to 20 minutes, Tahau returned, demanding her keys and phone. Bevan and Moke eventually opened the door, but the fight reignited.

Tahau again accused her partner of having feelings for her cousin and struck her multiple times with a mirror frame. Bevan fell to the ground, bleeding from her cheek and ear. Tahau then threw Bevan’s clothes out of the cabin and destroyed photos of the couple. Moke tried to intervene, leading to a third fight between the two cousins.

The Fatal Stabbing

After the fight, Tahau returned to the caravan and retrieved a 30cm kitchen knife. She confronted Bevan on the deck, who fled in fear. Moke then joined the scene, and the cousins began scuffling again. Moke was stabbed multiple times, with the fatal wound being a 10cm-deep stab in her abdomen. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Moke was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tahau reportedly watched the paramedics trying to revive her cousin and said, “I’m going to jail.” She admitted to police that she stabbed Moke after a fight broke out, claiming she was being attacked and wanted the violence to stop. In July, she pleaded guilty to murder and assault with a weapon in the High Court at Whangārei.

Tahau now faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The case has raised serious concerns about the impact of jealousy and domestic tensions on individuals and the importance of addressing such conflicts before they escalate to violence.

The tragic events that unfolded on that fateful night serve as a grim reminder of the destructive power of jealousy and the need for early intervention in domestic disputes. As the court prepares to sentence Tahau, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy.