Thousands sign up for hui after child injured in alleged assault at Hawke’s Bay park

Thousands of Hawke’s Bay residents have signed up for a community hui in response to a child being injured in an alleged assault at a Hastings playground earlier in the week.

Hui coordinator and nanny Cherie Kurarangi​ organised the event in response to the alleged assault during “an altercation involving adults” about 1pm in Cornwall Park on Tomoana Rd on Wednesday afternoon.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on Thursday in relation to the incident and charged with common assault and assault of a child.

The incident had sparked a wider community response about safety in public place for whānau and tamariki. “There’s been a lot of anger and frustration in the community,” Kurarangi said.

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* Young child injured in alleged assault at Hastings playground
* Man arrested after assault of man and child in Hastings park
* Man charged with death of 3-month-old Napier baby
* Source of gang problem in Hawke’s Bay ‘well beyond the police’, says area commander

More than 4200 had registered their interest to attend a community hui to be held at Napier’s Anderson Park Playground on Monday, she said. “We are talking about family spaces here. One of our main goals is to make sure family and public spaces are safe for our tamariki – that’s the main kaupapa.”

She said these types of incidents were “really hurting families” and there were a variety of contributing factors which needed a community response.

An informal survey included in the registration process received 640 responses, of which about 490 people said they had witnessed or been the victim of violence in the community.

The hui will address questions of gang regalia, alcohol, drugs, and violence in whānau and public spaces.

Monday’s hui, at 1pm at Anderson Park in Napier, would include leaders from different gangs around the country, and was also being supported by council and police, she said.