Girl makes first wish after mum’s brutal murder

Marlie Harlick says she almost cried when her niece Vivienne asked for a trampoline for Christmas. Photo: James Baker/Stuff.

Marie Harlick almost cried when her niece Vivienne asked for a trampoline for Christmas.

It was the first thing Vivienne had ever asked for in the two years following the brutal death of her mother and Harlick's sister.

"I almost cried, she's never asked for anything," says Marie. "Not once, not a single thing."

Marie became guardian for her three-year-old niece in 2016, after her sister, also called Marie Harlick, was killed by her former-partner Robert Hohua.

Vivienne, 18-months old at the time, was left beside her mother as she lay dying, hidden under a blanket.

Guardianship of her sister's five children was divided up between family members. Marie took over guardianship of Vivienne the youngest of the bunch, moving her to Pukekohe.

Vivienne's mum Marie Harlick was murdered by by her partner in November 2016.

Marie, 55, says the $200 cost for the gift will put a strain on the family's tight budget as she is unable to work and is already providing for her 16-year-old daughter and taking care of her 80-year-old mother.

"But I'm stubborn if [Vivienne] needs something it just means the pantry will be a bit empty."

For Marie, Christmas means everything and provides a chance to give Vivienne some time with her other siblings.

Each year they travel across the country so her niece can see them.

But the process is expensive, accounting for presents, fuel and motel rooms while travelling, she says the total bill will cost upwards of $800. That's not counting presents for other family members.

"But it's important for her, at the end of the day it's all for her."

Robert Roupere Hohua was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his partner Marie Harlick. Photo: Sam Gardner.

And while she tries to make the day special, she knows the period is difficult for her niece.

"She's still delicate after seeing what happened."

Anne Doddrell, coordinator for the charitable trust Grandparent Raising Grandchildren Franklin, says many relatives who take on guardianship struggle during Christmas.

"It puts a real strain on them."

Often it's grandparents who take guardianship of their grandchildren.

"They often can't work, they're either too old or it's just too much to juggle."

As many as 4200 grandparents across New Zealand are the guardians for their grandchildren, with at least 1800 children raised by a non-parent relative.

"Often these children have come from backgrounds of trauma, abuse and drug addiction and sometimes death."

She says the Christmas period brings mixed emotions for these families, some children live in hope that their parents will visit, while others go through a grieving process in the knowledge that they will never see their parents again.

Shirley's Afoa's grandchildren experience both.

After her eldest son died of throat cancer at 37, five years ago, she was thrust into the role of solo guardian for his three children. Her challenge grew again last year when she took on her daughter's two children when her partner became sick.

The 58-year-old from Papakura has to budget from "week to week," and every dollar is meticulously organised to cover expenses such as food, petrol, clothes.

But Christmas brings with it a significant challenge.

"I started [buying presents] in June buying off Trade Me and hiding it in the wardrobe," she says.

"I try to provide them with a nice Christmas, because I know there's something I can never replace."

This year Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Franklin are hoping to change that for the families in the region.

Any presents left at Tuakau Primary School will be distributed to the help the 140 guardian grandparents or relatives across the Franklin region make Christmas special for those in their care.

Shirley Afoa, 58, with three of the five children in her care. Chris Afoa, 8, left, Issac Afoa, 12, and Camryn Afoa, 13. Photo: James Baker/Stuff.

To donate online visit givealittle.co.nz/cause/2018-christmas-day-for-GRG-franklin-nz-children.

For more information on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren visit https://www.grg.org.nz.

-Stuff.co.nz/John Baker

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