Outpourings of grief and love are filling the wall above a makeshift memorial to Enere Mclaren-Taana at the Dunedin bus hub. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH Dunedin Secondary Principals’ Association chairman Mark Jones said there had been a history of issues at the hub and as principal of Bayfield High School he had advised students to avoid the area. "They are best doing that," he said.
The comments were made after Dunedin boy Enere Mclaren-Taana, 16, died after an attack at the city’s bus hub on Thursday afternoon. A 13-year-old boy who is accused of his murder has been remanded in custody after appearing in the Youth Court on Friday, and is scheduled to appear in the High Court on June 11. Police found a knife at the scene and are investigating the circumstances leading up to the stabbing.
Mr Jones said the added security and increased police patrolling of the area following Thursday’s incident would help, and he called on the community to also look out for its young people. He said all schools would support their young people affected by the tragedy. Teenage victim died from single stab wound His comments were backed up by national bodies at the weekend who said violent incidents at bus and train stations involving young people seemed to be increasing.
National Secondary Principals Association president Vaughan Couillault told RNZ violence between students was becoming more acute, leading to serious injuries or worse. Fights were often among groups and they were "not stopping.