Key Takeaways
- Piripi Tukaokao, 23, is on trial in the High Court at Rotorua for kidnapping and murdering Harley Shrimpton, whose body was found buried near a creek on a Poripori Rd property outside Tauranga in 2023.
- Tukaokao claims the shooting was accidental; he said the shotgun “went off” while he was trying to intimidate Shrimpton to recover a drug debt that had risen from $2,000 to $5,000.
- After the shooting, Tukaokao panicked, moved Shrimpton’s body, and later buried it, stating he returned to the site only to give the deceased “back to his family.”
- Co‑defendant Tuara Heke, 21, pleaded guilty to cleaning the shed where the shooting occurred and to attempting to pervert the course of justice, but denies helping Tukaokao move the body.
- During a recorded interview with Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Lemoto, Tukaokao expressed fear of being labeled a murderer and wanted to apologise to Shrimpton’s whānau, performing a karakia in te reo Māori at the burial site.
- The trial continues, with Tukaokao represented by Rebekah Webby and Nicholas Dutch, and Heke by Bill and Rita Nabney; both have pleaded not guilty to the primary charges, though Heke admitted lesser offences.
Background and Charges
Piripi Tukaokao, a patched member of the Greazy Dogs Motorcycle Club, faces serious criminal charges in the High Court at Rotorua. The 23‑year‑old is accused of kidnapping and murdering Harley Shrimpton, a 20‑year‑old man whose death occurred on a rural property in the Western Bay of Plenty in November 2023. Shrimpton’s body was discovered buried near a creek on a Poripori Rd property outside Tauranga after a police investigation uncovered CCTV footage showing him entering Tukaokao’s car at the Mount Maunganui McDonald’s on 3 November 2023 and never emerging again. Tukaokao has pleaded not guilty to aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and murder, while his co‑defendant, Tuara Heke, denies the more serious allegations but has admitted to related offences.
The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath
According to Tukaokao’s statements to police, the shooting arose from an attempt to intimidate Shrimpton over an unpaid drug debt. He told investigators that he had brought a shotgun merely to “scare” Shrimpton into paying, but the weapon discharged accidentally, striking Shrimpton in the chest. Seeing Shrimpton lie motionless on a shed floor, Tukaokao said he panicked, stepped outside for fresh air, and upon returning observed that Shrimpton “looked like he was dead.” Overwhelmed by fear, he left the scene, later returning to move the body. He noted that some of Shrimpton’s clothing had become dislodged during the relocation process.
Decision to Bury and Return to the Site
After moving Shrimpton’s body, Tukaokao buried it in a secluded spot near a creek on the Poripori Rd property. He told detectives that he did not revisit the burial site immediately; instead, he waited until after he had confessed to shooting Shrimpton and felt compelled to help return the deceased to his family. This desire to provide closure motivated him to guide police to the grave, where he performed a karakia and expressed remorse. The burial location was described as difficult to articulate verbally, but Tukaokao insisted he could “show them” the exact spot.
Co‑defendant Tuara Heke’s Involvement
Tuara Heke, aged 21, faces charges connected to the same incident. While Heke denies assisting Tukaokao in moving Shrimpton’s body, he has pleaded guilty to cleaning the shed where the shooting took place and to attempting to pervert the course of justice. The prosecution alleges that Heke’s actions were part of an effort to conceal evidence, although Heke maintains his innocence regarding the burial assistance. His legal team, Bill and Rita Nabney, argue that his admissions are limited to the post‑offence conduct and do not implicate him in the kidnapping or murder.
Interview with Detective Lemoto and Emotional Confession
Detective Senior Sergeant Rob Lemoto played a pivotal role in eliciting Tukaokao’s account. After Tukaokao had spoken with another detective, he specifically requested to speak with Lemoto, who offered him coffee, escorted him to a courtyard, re‑read his rights, and confirmed Tukaokao’s understanding. During the conversation, Tukaokao became emotional, wiping his eyes and indicating he had something he needed to “get off his chest.” Lemoto noted that Tukaokao’s fear was not of gang retribution but of being labelled a murderer and being unable to face his own family or Shrimpton’s whānau. Lemoto reassured him that providing details could offer the victim’s family some closure, a sentiment that appeared to resonate with Tukaokao.
Motive: Drug Debt and Financial Pressure
Tukaokao explained to police that the financial dispute with Shrimpton began with a $2,000 debt that ballooned to $5,000 over time. He claimed the initial debt was personal and that he had previously allowed Shrimpton to delay repayment, but this occasion involved money that belonged to someone else, prompting him to demand payment more forcefully. He stated that his intention was solely to intimidate Shrimpton into settling the debt, emphasizing that killing Shrimpton served no purpose for him because he still owed money to a third party. Tukaokao refused to identify the creditor, asserting that his motive was financial recovery rather than malice.
Cultural Practices and Desire for Forgiveness
At the burial site, Tukaokao performed a karakia in te reo Māori, describing it as an acknowledgment of what had transpired and an appeal for forgiveness from Harley Shrimpton and his whānau. He reflected on cultural concepts of tapu, saying he considered removing the victim’s remaining clothing and burning them but refrained, believing that deliberately taking possessions would exacerbate the spiritual transgression. This expression of remorse underscored his stated goal of being able to look his own family in the eye and apologize for the tragedy, seeking both personal and communal reconciliation.
Trial Progress and Legal Representation
The proceedings continue in the High Court at Rotorua, with Tukaokao represented by counsel Rebekah Webby and Nicholas Dutch, while Tuara Heke is defended by Bill and Rita Nabney. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the primary charges of aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and murder; Heke has, however, admitted to lesser offences related to evidence tampering. The trial remains open, with evidence being presented, witnesses examined, and the jury tasked with determining whether the shooting was accidental, as Tukaokao claims, or a deliberate act constituting murder. Hannah Bartlett, an Open Justice reporter for NZME based in Tauranga, is covering the case, providing ongoing updates to the public.