Life Sentence for Man Who Killed Partner in Callous Act of Intimate Partner Violence

Ri Charles Raymond Nikora has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 12.5 years for the murder of his partner, Kathleen Kawana. The High Court in Napier delivered the sentence after hearing harrowing details of the crime, which spanned several years and culminated in the brutal killing of Kawana in 2019.

The court was told that Nikora had a history of violent behavior toward Kawana, including multiple incidents of strangulation that left her unconscious. In 2016 alone, she required CPR after one such attack. Despite this, Nikora continued to abuse her, ultimately leading to her death on June 20, 2019.

On that day, Nikora strangled Kawana in her Titahi Bay home and placed her body in his car, embarking on a 600km journey north. At some point during the trip, he transferred her to the boot of the vehicle and later dumped her body in an unoccupied farmhouse near Ruatōria. Her body was discovered on August 3, 2019, by the new owner of the property, bringing an end to a long and agonizing search for justice.

During the trial, it was revealed that Nikora had sent a fake text message to Kawana’s daughter using her phone, impersonating her. This act of deception further highlighted the depth of his manipulation and the emotional toll on the victim’s family.

Although Nikora pleaded guilty to the murder and other charges, including injuring with intent to injure, the court described his actions as 'callous.' A victim impact statement, read by a court victims’ advisor, described Kawana’s death as a 'gaping wound' and noted that the family forgave Nikora for their own healing.

Nikora was not arrested until May 2024, nearly five years after Kawana’s death. The delay in his arrest was due in part to the lack of immediate forensic evidence, which was eventually uncovered including DNA and cigarette butts found near her body.

This case has brought to light the extreme dangers of intimate partner violence and has underscored the importance of the crime of strangulation being recognized as a specific offense. Advocates for victims of domestic abuse have praised the court’s decision, calling it a necessary step in ensuring that perpetrators of such crimes face the full weight of the law.

As the family of Kathleen Kawana begins the difficult process of healing, the case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the urgent need for continued support and protection for victims.