“We never judged him. We still hold a lot of love, sincerity and warmth for him.”
Maaka had been a prospect for the gang for about one year before his disappearance. His body was never found.
Kacey Maaka told the Herald it hadn’t been an easy 35 years for the family who were still awaiting answers.
Eight or so years after his disappearance, the Maaka family decided to put a plaque at their family cemetery in his honour.
“We are being realistic. It hasn’t been easy working with the police. They asked us to help them but, honestly, there was a point where we couldn’t any more.
“It was hurting us never having answers and nothing coming to fruition … and I didn’t want to be put in an unsafe position with who my brother was caught up with in the gangs.”
She said her family’s rough background ultimately made her brother make the wrong decisions.
“He had a good life before he joined the gang. He has always been very loving towards his family.
“We aren’t saying he was an angel. He wasn’t but he definitely wasn’t a devil in disguise either.”
Maaka told the Herald at the end of the day, despite any wrongdoing on his behalf, her brother was still a father, son and sibling.
“It was hardest on our mum. She would always wonder ‘Is he going to walk in?’ right up until she died.”
The father of three left behind his two daughters who are “alive and well” with children of their own. His mother and son passed in 2008 and 2012 respectively.
FAMILY VIOLENCE HELPLINES
How to get help: If you’re in danger now: • Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you. • Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.• Take the children with you. Don’t stop to get anything else.• If you are being abused, remember it’s not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information: •Women’s Refuge: Crisis line – 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)•Shine: Helpline – 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)•It’s Not Ok: Family violence information line – 0800 456 450•Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children.• Crisis line – 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)•Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence•Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services•White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men’s violence towards women.
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