Whānau of the much-loved educator and community stalwart allegedly murdered in Northland say they are in “deep shock” at the loss as tributes pour for revered kuia Tārati Buckley.
Communities around the Hokianga Harbour are mourning the death of Buckley, known as “Nanny Dot” after the 76-year-old was found dead at a property in Whirinaki earlier this week.
Police launched a homicide investigation after Buckley was found dead following a series of enquiries that began with the discovery of a burnt-out vehicle near Tangowahine.
The trail took investigators across very different parts of Northland, from a vehicle fire near Tangowahine to Opononi and eventually Whirinaki, locations separated by more than 100km and about 90 minutes’ drive.
A 26-year-old man appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Tuesday charged with murder, arson, theft of a motor vehicle, burglary and using a credit card to obtain a pecuniary advantage.
