Enere McLaren-Taana who was fatally stabbed at the Dunedin Bus Hub. Photo: Facebook screenshot
A planned vigil for a Dunedin teenager who was fatally stabbed last Thursday has been cancelled, hours before it was scheduled to get underway.
A 90-minute ceremony was to be held for Enere McLaren-Taana in The Octagon in the central city from 3.30pm on Friday with community leaders scheduled to lead tributes.
But Dunedin City Council said it had abandoned the plans after consulting with organisers and they decided a vigil was "not appropriate at this time".
"We recognise other schools and organisations have been holding their own events, which is helping to bring people together, and we thank them for their mahi," a spokesperson said.
"The DCC will continue to offer support around the Bus Hub as we've been doing this week, along with other parties."
McLaren-Taana, 16, was attacked and stabbed outside the bus hub in Dunedin on Thursday.
The Trinity Catholic College student was rushed to hospital but later died, sparking an outpouring of grief among the local community.
A 13-year-old boy charged with murder was granted name suppression when he appeared in the Youth Court last Friday.
The council first announced plans of a vigil on Thursday afternoon, which was to include representatives from mana whenua with community leaders such as Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich speaking during the ceremony.
On Friday, the council backtracked on its comments that the vigil was to include Enere's whānau.
"The DCC wishes to clarify that the whānau of Enere will not be present or speaking at the vigil.
"The vigil has been organised as a public time and space to hold the outpouring of grief felt by the community for the passing of Enere.
"The DCC apologises for any misunderstanding."