Dad tormented by death demands answers as police investigate

A father literally haunted in his dreams by the tragic drowning of his little boy in a septic tank on a Koah property two weeks ago is still waiting for answers amid a police investigation into the death.

A FATHER literally haunted in his dreams by the tragic drowning of his little boy in a septic tank on a Koah property two weeks ago is still waiting for answers amid a police investigation into the death.

On January 2 three-year-old Tiwanaku Pineamine wandered away from a house on a rural Koah property and fell in a septic tank.

The Rescue 510 helicopter rushed to the Grievson Rd address but nothing could be done to save the young lad.

Glenn Taiapa with his son Tiwanaku Pineamine. The three-year-old drowned in a septic tank on a rural property at Koah. Picture: Supplied

Heartbroken dad Glenn Taiapa has struggled to come to terms with the loss of his youngest child.

The pain of the loss has turned to anger in what he says was a preventable tragedy.

“Nobody should be going through what I am going through,” he said.

No charges have been laid in relation to the incident however a police investigation is ongoing.

“I spoke to the police … and they gave the advice that (the mother and I) need to work together because we are the victims,” he said.

“We know the truth but we have to wait until the Coroner is done.

Glenn Taiapa in front of the hearse carrying his three-year-old boy Tiwanaku Pineamine Taiapa that drowned in a septic tank at Koah on January 2. Picture: Peter Carruthers

“I am waiting for the court case and I can say all this in a victim impact statement.”

Leading police inquiries Acting Detective Inspector Gary Hunter was limited in what he could reveal in terms of what the investigation had turned up.

“The matter has been referred to the Coroner and investigations into this tragedy are continuing,” he said.

For a neighbour on Grievson Rd the events on January 2 will never be forgotten.

Three-year-old Tiwanaku Pineamine died after falling into a septic tank at a Koah property on January 2. Picture: Glenn Wiremu

Tiwanaku Pineamine Taiapa reportedly drowned at a Far North property on January 2.

“I was out the back when the chopper came in and I rang my neighbour because he is one of the cops and he said the boy had gone,” she said.

“He couldn’t get out and they couldn’t find him, so he may have been in there trying to save himself for a while.

“It’s a terrible, terrible thing. I have three grown up kids and I couldn’t imagine how it feels.

“I just hope they find some peace.

“But I have cried and cried.”

And Mr Taiapa will live with the loss for the rest of his life.

“Now, when I try to sleep all I can see is my boy screaming inside this septic tank,” he said.

“My beautiful son should not have died.”

Originally published as Dad tormented by death demands answers as police investigate