By Portia Mao
Two Chinese intermediate school boys were reportedly assaulted and robbed while playing basketball at Pakuranga College in East Auckland on Halloween, Saturday, 31 October.
One of the boys’ mothers contacted Tony Tong, Executive Chair of the Safe Communities Association, after learning of the incident. Later that evening, Mr Tong called me and informed me of the disturbing case.
The following morning, 1 November, he forwarded me a written account from one of the boys, along with an audio recording describing the ordeal.
According to the boy, he and his friend were playing basketball when two other boys approached them and asked if they would like to play a two-on-two game.
After losing the game, the two boys left, only to return later with two others. What had begun as an ordinary afternoon of basketball quickly turned into a frightening ordeal.
The Boy’s Account
Halloween Day
The following is the boy’s written account. The details were also consistent with the audio recording he later provided.
“31 October 2026 – Halloween Day
My friend and I were playing basketball at Pakuranga College when two Polynesian boys asked if we wanted to play a two-versus-two game. We won the game, and they left.
A short time later, they returned with two other people. One of the newcomers, a younger boy, was wearing a ski mask.
They tried to rob us. The boy in the ski mask kicked me off my friend’s bike. They stole my watch and cornered me. They slapped and kicked me several times before searching through my bag and stealing my Halloween accessories.
After that, they left.
I called the police. Officers arrived, searched the area, and took our details.”
Mr Tong told me that police officers visited one of the boys at his home the following morning to obtain further information about the incident.
It is heartbreaking to think that two young schoolboys, who were simply enjoying a game of basketball on Halloween, ended up experiencing such a frightening ordeal.
I hope the boys are recovering from the incident and that police will be able to identify those responsible.
My thoughts are with the boys and their families. I also hope those responsible will soon be identified and brought to justice.
The video below contains an audio recording of one of the boys recounting, in his own words, how he was assaulted and robbed while playing basketball at Pakuranga College on Halloween. It also includes comments from Mr. Tony Tong, Executive Chair of the Safe Communities Association.