Emma-Jane was biking to a dairy in Flaxmere, Hawke’s Bay with her sister to spend her pocket money when she was killed.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Pineaha was sentenced to four years and five months in prison in the High Court at Napier.<\/p>\n
Pineaha previously admitted to a raft of charges including manslaughter, consuming methamphetamine, wilful damage, driving with excess breath alcohol, dangerous driving and failing to stop.<\/p>\n
Terina Pineaha during an earlier court appearance.\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0RNZ \/ Alexa Cook<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Emma-Jane’s family were devastated Pineaha was not jailed for longer, and some family members walked out of court saying it was “bullshit”.<\/p>\n Emma-Jane’s mother, Shannon Davis, told RNZ the family launched a petition because they felt four years was not enough time to pay for the life of their little girl.<\/p>\n “She was taken by a woman who had 29 convictions.<\/p>\n “It’s pretty much saying it’s okay to drink drive, be on meth, be on the wrong side of the road speeding… take a young girl’s life and you’re only going to get four and a half years,” she said.<\/p>\n Emma-Jane Kupa was killed on the Chatham Rd crossing in Flaxmere.\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0SUPPLIED<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n A victim’s family can not appeal a sentence, but the Crown can, and the petition was calling for action.<\/p>\n “We ask the Crown to appeal this sentence. Emma-Jane’s life mattered. Her family is broken, and our community deserves justice.<\/p>\n “Please stand with us and demand the sentence be increased to better reflect the seriousness of the crime and protect future tamariki,” the petition said.<\/p>\n The petition had already gathered more than 2000 signatures.<\/p>\n Shannon Davis and George Kupa, the parents of Emma-Jane Kupa.\u00a0<\/span>Photo:\u00a0SUPPLIED<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Davis said they were hopeful there was a case for Pineaha’s sentence to be increased.<\/p>\n “We want anyone to re-look at it and fight for us. My baby didn’t have a voice so I have to be hers.<\/p>\n “It should be life for life. Four years is nothing.”<\/p>\n Davis said the wh\u0101nau’s fight for a higher prison sentence was also for others who had lost loved ones at the hands of a drunk driver.<\/p>\n “It’s not just for my daughter, it’s for all the other young kids that have lost their lives to unreliable people who want to drink and drive.<\/p>\n “Hopefully Aotearoa listens, help by signing this petition and raise awareness that it is serious.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Pineaha drunk and high when she hit Emma-Jane Kupa<\/h3>\n