A Napier courtroom has become the focal point of a devastating cycle of violence, as Trizarn Henare was found guilty of murder in the same room where he once launched a brutal attack on his own mother’s killer.
Henare, 20, and co-defendant Takarangi Kumar, 19, have been convicted of the murder of Boy Taylor. The victim, a street-dweller, was killed in the early hours of December 18, 2024, in Napier’s central business district.
The conviction marks a grim turning point for Henare, who now faces the possibility of life imprisonment after a history defined by intergenerational tragedy.
The Attack on Boy Taylor
Evidence presented at trial showed that Henare and three other men—Kumar, Rua Hune, and Tuarima Alexander—engaged in a violent spree on the night of December 17 to 18, 2024. After drinking at a bar, the group first assaulted a man wearing a blue cap, whom they believed was associated with a gang.
Two hours later, the group encountered Boy Taylor near an alcove in Emerson Street. Security cameras captured a sustained attack lasting more than two minutes, during which Taylor was bashed, kicked, and stomped to death.
While the Crown portrayed Taylor as a vulnerable victim, the defense argued that Taylor had become “armed and dangerous” by using broken bottles as weapons. This claim was supported by glass cuts found on Henare and Hune.
A Legacy of Trauma
The court has previously noted the profound trauma affecting Henare’s family. In November 2022, Trizarn’s mother, Arohaina Henare, 34, was stabbed to death by Moses Mohi Taua following a dispute at a Napier property.
This tragedy led to a shocking breach of security in September 2023. During a procedural hearing for Taua, Graham Mokaraka—Arohaina’s whāngai father—scaled a 1.8m glass security barrier and attacked Taua in the dock.
Trizarn and his twin brother, Cylus, followed Mokaraka over the barrier to join the assault. The twins were subsequently given 12 months of supervision and 150 hours of community work.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
To ensure a fair trial for Henare, the High Court issued take-down orders requiring media organizations to delete online stories regarding the 2023 courtroom attack. This was intended to prevent jurors from discovering Henare’s prior conduct.
While Henare and Kumar were found guilty of murder, Rua Hune and Tuarima Alexander were not convicted of the higher charge, though all four had previously admitted to manslaughter.
Sentencing is scheduled for July. Henare and Kumar could face life imprisonment with a minimum parole period of 10 years, unless the court finds such a sentence to be “manifestly unjust.”
If a life sentence is handed down, Henare’s punishment may mirror the sentence currently being served by Moses Taua for the murder of Arohaina Henare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was found guilty of the murder of Boy Taylor?
Trizarn Henare and Takarangi Kumar were found guilty of murder by a jury.
What happened during the 2023 courtroom incident?
Trizarn Henare, his twin brother, and other family members scaled a 1.8m glass barrier to attack Moses Taua, the man who had murdered Trizarn’s mother.
What was the defense’s argument during the murder trial?
Defense counsel Eric Forster argued that Boy Taylor became “armed and dangerous” by brandishing broken bottles during the encounter.
Do you believe the legal system can effectively break cycles of intergenerational violence?
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