Northland police seek information about homicide victim's car

9 Jun 2026

Tārati Buckley's RAV4 with 'DOTSKA' licence plate.

Photo: NZ Police / Supplied

Police in Northland are appealing for information about the movements of a homicide victim's vehicle.

Tārati 'Dorothy' Buckley, was killed during King's Birthday Weekend at Whirinaki, in the Far North.

The 76-year-old was a retired principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hokianga, and described as a much-loved educator, a fierce champion of te reo Māori, and a "treasured taonga of Hokianga".

The same day her body was discovered, on Monday 1 June, a 26-year-old man was charged with her murder.

Police are now seeking information about the movements of Buckley's car - a red Toyota RAV4 with the personalised registration plate 'DOTSKA'.

Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston said police would like any information about the vehicle's movements on the night of Sunday 31 May and morning of Monday 1 June, including any dashcam footage.

"We are seeking any information on the movements of the vehicle between the Whirinaki and Kaikohe areas between 8pm and 6am," Johnston said.

He said the car travelled through Kawakawa at around 6.50am on 1 June, then south through the Maungatapere and Dargaville areas.

"We would like to hear from anyone who has seen the vehicle travelling at these times or who might have dash camera footage they can provide."

Police also trying to locate a dark red mountain bike the alleged offender was seen riding that day on State Highway 14, between Maungatapere and Dargaville.

Anyone with information is asked to phone the 105 non-emergency number and use the reference number 260601/3972, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tārati 'Dorothy' Buckley was a retired principal and champion of te reo Māori.

Photo: Supplied / Facebook

Timeline of events

Buckley's vehicle travelled through Kawakawa around 6.50am on Monday 1 June, then continued south

Police found her burnt-out car on Ounuwhao Road, off SH14 northeast of Dargaville, around 9.10am on 1 June.

Officers went to her home in Ōpononi, about 100km to the north, and found it had been burgled.

Around 2pm the same day, officers stopped a man behaving suspiciously on SH14, near Dargaville.

The 26-year-old was found to be carrying "items of interest to the investigation".

Buckley's body was discovered that night at an address in Whirinaki, about 6km east of her home.

The detained man was arrested and charged with murder, arson, burglary, theft of a motor vehicle

The man was granted interim name suppression and is due in the High Court at Whangārei on 19 June.

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