Bashing victim 'Georgie' dies 23.12.2002

 

By PATRICK GOWER

An Otahuhu cross-dresser has died six days after an alleged beating by a gang member wielding a baseball bat.

George "Georgie Girl" Matehaere died in the critical care unit of Auckland Hospital last night as the man believed to be his killer continued to elude armed police.

The family of fugitive Joe Coleman have joined the pleas for him to give himself up.

Coleman's mother-in-law, Maureen Henare-Wynyard, went to Mr Matehaere's hospital bedside just hours before his death at 6.30pm.

"I want to tell Joe to give himself up," she said. "If I got a whiff of where he is I would take him to the police myself."

Coleman, 39, is known by the nickname "Bucket". He has the words "Mangu Kaha" - a chapter of Black Power - tattooed on his forehead along with the gang's symbol, a clenched fist.

Mrs Henare-Wynyard said she believed her daughter Diane was with Coleman, along with their 12-year-old son.

Mr Matehaere, who preferred to be known as a woman and called either Georgie or Georgina, managed to get his 100kg, 180cm frame to hospital after the beating at an Otahuhu state housing complex on Monday.

He was discharged but returned by ambulance later.

Mr Matehaere's aunt Faye Manukau, who had been at his side since the attack, also asked Coleman to surrender.

Among Mr Matehaere's other visitors have been two of his brothers from the maximum security Auckland Prison at Paremoremo.

One is Peter Matehaere, a convicted armed robber who has escaped from prison three times.

Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Hallett said armed police raided a Papakura home in the early hours of yesterday after being told Coleman was there. Those in the home denied that they had been harbouring him.

It is understood that the Matehaere family has many past and present members of Black Power who still wield influence in some quarters. But Mr Hallett said although some members of the gang had said they would help the hunt for Coleman, "actions are yet to speak louder than words".

"It is important that Joe contact the police because the longer he avoids us the more stress he is putting on his and the Matehaere families.

"We will keep visiting the addresses of his associates until we catch up with him."

Anyone with information about Coleman's whereabouts should call the Counties-Manukau police on 09-2999242