The trial heard evidence of a growing grievance over a whānau house by the Davises against the Mackey whānau in Mangamuka.
Euan’s daughter Taygan lived at the property on Iwitaua Rd with her children, while Euan lived nearby with his wife, Adrianne.
The Davises lived around the corner on Abraham Rd.
The Crown said in the weeks before the murder, Denise arrived at Taygan’s house, walked in unannounced and said the house belonged to the Davis whānau.
Taygan gave evidence that Denise said the Mackeys were not welcome in Mangamuka and her husband Quinntinn wanted to stab and kill Euan.
At sentencing, Crown lawyer Ben Bosomworth said this was an example of premeditation and not a “coincidence” given what happened a month later.
Days later, Taygan and her mother crossed paths with Denise and Quinntinn and got into another argument about the house.
Quinntinn was reportedly shocked when he heard the threat his wife had made days earlier and insisted they “don’t have to worry about Euan”.
On the weekend of March 1, 2024, the Davises had a family event during which some people, including Denise, Quinntinn and Tana, drank for two days.
Later that evening, while the Mackeys were at the house getting Taygan’s children ready for bed, the Davises and Tana turned up “looking for confrontation”.
The Davises, both carrying knives, told the Mackeys they had to get out of the house “tonight”.
As Euan tried to resolve the situation, Quinntinn stabbed him five times to the neck and back.
During the attack, Adrianne and Taygan were assaulted by Tana as they tried to protect Euan.
Taygan gave evidence that her father died in her arms.
‘His children were his world’
At sentencing, Adrianne described the loss of her husband, saying their quiet family home had been transformed by his absence and he was known by several nicknames.
“Euan wore a coat of many colours,” Adrianne said.
“Blue, Gumboot … Jim. Each represented a different part of who he was and the lives he touched.”
She said the couple met in 1988 and built their life together on values of kindness, love and respect for others.
Euan was not only her husband, she said, but her soulmate, protector and provider.
Adrianne said he was a proud man who took care of himself and stayed fit.
“His children were his world,” she said and becoming a grandfather to seven mokopuna had brought a new level of joy to their lives.
Adrianne said he helped everyone in the community and dressed as Santa Claus for local kōhanga reo children.
“The babies loved Santa,” she said.
“Children felt safe in his presence.”
Euan Mackey, 59, was remembered for being a loving father, grandfather, husband and fan of country music.
A lover of country music, Euan started his day with music, the first sound she heard in the house each morning.
“My house is quiet now,” she said.
“There are so many things I miss about Euan. His hugs, his voice, his smile and the life he brought into our home.”
She told the court she felt as if she had “lost my left hand”, describing grief that touches every aspect of daily life.
“It was just a simple Sunday. We were minding our own business. We hadn’t done anything wrong,” she said.
“My husband died protecting our family.
“His absence is everywhere.”
‘Nobody left untouched’
Euan’s brother Thomas Mackey chose a different angle for his victim impact statement and called for calm across the remote community.
“There’s nobody left untouched in Mangamuka.”
Thomas said many strained relationships had been left behind and meetings were held at the local marae to help bring peace.
“We want Mangamuka to regain its sense and safety of confidence it once was.”
He said Euan’s death was one of several killings to shake Northland at the time and highlighted what he saw as a dangerous normalisation of violence within the community.
Northland recorded eight homicides for 2024 and nine in the first four months of 2025.
“It’s important the seriousness of taking someone’s life is recognised,” he said.
“The consequences will be long and lasting.”
Thomas said Euan was known as Mr Fixit in Mangamuka and had final words for his community.
“We cannot undo what happened but we can remember Euan. Support his whānau and acknowledge the harm.
“We, the hapu of Mangamuka, will continue to remember you.”
Euan Mackey died at the remote location of Iwitaua Rd in the Far North. Photo / Google Maps
The Crown said the extent of harm was immeasurable and pointed to five children aged under 10 who witnessed their grandfather’s murder.
“The impact on them will be lifelong,” Bosomworth said.
Lawyers for the Davises submitted the act was spontaneous but Bosomworth said the attack was direct and aggressive.
“It only desists when Mr Mackey falls to the ground and even then, there was still force.”
Quinntinn’s lawyer Nicola Manning said her client went to the property with no intention, was not the instigator and did not know Euan would be there.
Manning disputed it was a home invasion as the killing occurred on a shared driveway and they had access rights to a paddock in the rear.
Life sentences with minimum non-parole periods were handed to Denise Michelle Davis and Quinntinn Davis. Photos / NZME
Defence lawyer Arthur Fairley told the earlier trial Denise played a limited role; the Crown had considered her a party to the murder but at sentencing, viewed her as the mastermind.
Fairley said Denise took issue with several aspects of the trial, maintaining she had not been drinking and there was no evidence she had.
Pre-sentence report writers said the defendants showed a lack of remorse and Tana was the only one to express his thoughts to the Mackey whānau in court.
Tana wrote a letter of remorse and said through his lawyer Sumudu Thode that he acknowledged the harm he had caused through his actions. Justice Michael Robinson accepted his remorse as genuine.
‘It was brutal’
Justice Robinson said he agreed with the jury’s verdict and that Denise and Quinntinn had a shared understanding they would use the knives if necessary.
The justice did not accept Manning’s submission that they were at the site to access a paddock in the rear.
“That is quite different to what happened here,” he said.
The justice pointed out the brief moment Quinntinn put a vehicle into reverse and appeared ready to leave.
But when his demand for an apology went unanswered, he told his passengers to “send it” as they got out of the car.
Justice Robinson was also satisfied Denise had encouraged her husband to stab Euan.
“I am quite sure you intended to cause bodily injury and you knew that stabbing him was likely to cause him death,” the justice said to Quinntinn.
“Your assault was quick but it was brutal.
“He was unarmed and he was being attacked by two people.”
The justice said Euan was a cherished husband, dearly loved father and grandfather and gave the whānau the court’s deepest sympathy.
“It’s clear his legacy will live on in all of you and his mokopuna.”
Quinntinn and Denise were sentenced to life imprisonment and Tana was jailed for 18 months.
Quinntinn will be required to serve a minimum of 13 and a half years and Denise 10 years and six months before they will be eligible for parole.
Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.
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