Fresh failings over the police shooting of Halatau Naitoko, who was shot dead when police were pursuing gunman Stephen McDonald along the Auckland’s northwestern motorway in January 2009, were officially admitted today Tuesday 27 when police breached a confidentiality agreement in a compensation deal they made with the teenager’s mother, Ivoni Fuimaono.
A compensation package included $100,000 was initially offered to Naitoko’s family shortly after he died on conditions that the mother would “not to reveal” the name of the shooter to anyone no matter who they are, Fuimaono told Fairfax Media today.
The report also said “Police made her sign documents promising not to reveal the name, and if she did she could go to jail for three months”.
Police agreed “the original $100,000 would still be kept confidential. It was paid on the condition that she did not reveal the payment to friends, family, media or even her own lawyer”.
“Only the total sum of $225,000 was meant to be disclosed yesterday”.
But police yesterday police announced they have paid $250,000 to Fuimaono and they went further and reveaedl that there was a payment of $100,000 made to Fuimaono shortly after Naitoko died referring to the $100,000 that was agreed not to reveal.
Mrs Fuimaono and his lawyer, Mr Pigeon said they had lunch today with police and “A lot was said. They (the police representative) expressed their very deep regret at what was apparently a breakdown in communication and she’s a very gracious woman and she’s accepted that and has instructed me to take no further action.
“Police acknowledged that a mistake occurred, we accepted that it was accidental and Ivoni has decided to continue with the settlement and move on.”
