Mātai Smith struggles to get words out as the tears start to roll down his face.
Even four years on, it’s hard to recount the day he lost his brother. But it’s a story he wants to share – to pay homage to Hakim, who died literally on Mātai’s doorstep.
Mātai bought his house in Manutūkē, 13 kilometres south of Gisborne, only a year earlier, next door to his parents Whenu and Honey, and sharing a boundary with his aunt.
It’s his hometown, where he and Hakim went to the same school, and spent weekends climbing the feijoa and plum trees.
Hakim had been working on his aunt’s fence and sat on Mātai’s porch to enjoy a beer when he had a heart attack. He was 41.
Mātai was in Gisborne when his brother’s partner Sam called from Hakim’s phone, screaming, “Come home now, something’s wrong with Hakim.”
He arrived to see fi rst responders trying to resuscitate his beloved brother.
“I knelt next to him and said, ‘You can’t leave us, we need you, we love you.’ But I realised there was no coming back, so I whispered, ‘I love you, brother. I promise I will look after the kids.’
“He’s got two beautiful children, my nephew Hakim who’s named after him, and Samara. She was 17. Hakim was 20. I had to let them know, that was awful. I just burst into tears.”
They are harrowing moments 47-yearold Mātai will never forget, made worse, he says, by hearing his mother howling that her son had gone.
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin July 1, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New Zealand Woman's Weekly dergisinin July 1, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK