URGENT PLEA FOR FINANCIAL HELP FROM A FAMILY OF A KIWI MAN KILLED IN A SAMOAN PRISON

TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND:

I am Christine E. BOWKER WILSON, mother of Hans DALTON.

Hans was born and grew up in New Zealand. He is a Son of Samoan, Tanielu (Daniel) PUAAELO DALTON. Hans is also the Step-Son of John Mahiti WILSON of the Hapu of Te Rangihouhiri of the Iwi of Ngati Awa.

While visiting Family in Samoa in 2012 Hans was killed in a Samoan prison. Hans did not commit a crime and was not a prisoner. Hans became unwell following a cyclone where darkness prevented him from finding his medications. Instead of giving him medical help the doctors and police in Samoa locked him up in a Samoan police cell.

I begged for help for my son from the medical authorities in New Zealand and Samoa when I was alerted to Hans’ situation.

I was assured that Hans would be well cared for. This did not happen. My son was found dead in a Samoan prison, with his head in a 44 gallon drum of water. To date, no one is held accountable for Hans’ death.

With pain and suffering, my daughter who was with Hans in Samoa, and I, took immediate steps to seek TRUTH JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY in regards to his death. It is now almost 6 years since that terrible tragedy on the 26 December 2012.

This is a precedent complex case with far reaching consequences affecting both New Zealand and Samoa.

We have exhausted our personal funds, yet we needed a lawyer to help us. We asked NZ government for financial assistance and continue to do so.

The government responded by offering, the lowest rate of legal aid available, to the lawyer of our choice. All others involved in this Inquest that is set for 4 days from the 10th-13th December 2018, have their legal expenses funded by our Government at a much higher rate. Despite the complexity of the case, our lawyer was only given a limited number of hours to prepare and represent us. It is grossly unfair and unjust, that families in these circumstances are left unsupported.

Our highly skilled Lawyer has toiled since March 2013 to support and assist us. Her wide expertise with almost 30 years of legal experience is outstanding both in New Zealand and in Samoa. Our Lawyer’s reputation is that she has in the past, and still continues to stand for justice for all, especially those who are unfairly treated.

For Hans, our lawyer has gone out of her way to help us, despite our financial position. She has over 6 years liaised with Government officials both here and in Samoa, collected information and assisted with making numerous enquiries regarding the release of evidence from Samoa. We are extremely grateful for this. She and her Team have also worked extensively to satisfy the requests of our New Zealand Coroner.

Unfortunately, the minimal Legal Aid grant that has been offered to our Lawyer to prepare fully and represent Hans at the Inquest inquiry is in my opinion unfair and unjust. We wish to continue to pursue TRUTH JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY as to who, how and what happened to my son, Hans Dalton.

Any help financially to help fund our legal representation, will be greatly appreciated.

With sincere thanks and gratitude, Christine E. BOWKER WILSON (Mother of Hans) Natasha E. DALTON (Sister of Hans)

***REFERENCE MATERIAL - On similiar cases****

https://mailchi.mp/inquest/inquest-newsletter-december-2018?e=[UNIQID]

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