On January 30, 2025, our 11-year-old niece Emma-Jane Kupa was killed while riding her bike in Flaxmere. The woman who hit her—Terina Pineaha—was drunk, high on meth, speeding, and driving on the wrong side of the road. She left the scene.

On July 17, 2025, she was sentenced to just 4 years and 5 months in prison. That sentence does not reflect the reckless, fatal choices she made—or the life that was stolen from our girl.

We ask the Crown to appeal this sentence. Emma-Jane’s life mattered. Her family is broken, and our community deserves justice.

Please stand with us and demand the sentence be increased to better reflect the seriousness of the crime and protect future tamariki.