A shocking revelation has left a community reeling: a man convicted of assaulting his ex-partner, Eruera Keepa, was later seen representing his iwi at the Koroneihana, a significant Māori event. But here's where the story takes a controversial turn. Keepa, a well-known figure in the community, had been in a relationship with chart-topping singer and former TV presenter Ria Hall, who opened up about the terrifying assault and her subsequent distress. But the plot thickens... And this is the part that has sparked debate: despite his conviction, Keepa was given a prominent speaking role at the Koroneihana, leaving Hall and many others questioning the response to domestic violence within Māoridom.
The assault occurred on a Tuesday morning in April, a day when children's routines needed to be organized. The incident, which took place in Hall's Bay of Plenty home, began as a verbal dispute and escalated quickly. Keepa, enraged by a message on Hall's phone from another man, grabbed her by the neck and lifted her off the ground, according to the police statement. This terrifying act of violence was witnessed by a young child.
In an emotional interview with TVNZ's Marae programme, Hall shared her disbelief and fear. "I couldn't believe that the person I loved and shared a life with would do this to me in my own home," she said, her voice breaking. The assault left her vulnerable and hurt, and the experience was made even more traumatic by Keepa's subsequent actions.
But the story doesn't end there. In September, Keepa was given a prominent role at the Koroneihana, celebrating the Māori Queen. This event, one of Māoridom's most important gatherings, was a slap in the face for Hall, who had only recently been assaulted by Keepa. The court had sentenced him to supervision, a stop violence program, and a fine, but the lack of public awareness about the case left Hall feeling isolated and retraumatized.
The relationship between Hall and Keepa had once seemed ideal. Both talented and successful, they appeared to be a perfect match. Keepa, a Matatini performer and champion bodybuilder, had even led a grassroots hauora campaign for women. But behind closed doors, the relationship was tumultuous, with multiple police callouts over the years. Despite this, Hall admits to giving Keepa the benefit of the doubt for the sake of their children.
The assault in April was not the first incident. Five years ago, Keepa had been convicted of assault, and in 2022, Hall was granted a final protection order. The court sentencing should have been the end of the matter, but Keepa's appearance at the Koroneihana raised questions about how Māoridom addresses family harm. Hall felt let down by the lack of action and the disregard for tikanga, the traditional Māori way of resolving issues.
The iwi, Ngāti Rārua, claimed they were unaware of Keepa's conviction due to name suppression, but Hall was devastated by their inaction. She felt that the community was willing to overlook the abuse of a woman to prioritize a man's speaking role. This revelation has sparked a much-needed conversation about accountability and the protection of victims within Māoridom.
In a surprising turn of events, Tau Ihu, the southern tribes, sent a written apology to Hall, admitting they should have intervened. They also visited Hall in person to address the harm and offered a taonga as a gesture of reconciliation. Hall, while still processing the trauma, hopes for a resolution where both families can come together and heal.
Keepa, in a statement, refused to discuss the assault, citing protection for their children. He expressed a desire to focus on co-parenting respectfully. But the question remains: how can Māoridom ensure justice and support for victims of domestic violence while upholding their cultural values? The community is now grappling with this complex issue, and it's a discussion that needs to continue.
