He was sentenced to two years, four months’ jail and disqualified from driving for two years.
Outside the court after sentencing, Tania Henare said her karanga (formal call) was important, following Maori culture and tikanga (customs).
"You have to send them back, it’s a spiritual safety thing — so they go back to the stars and heaven."
She said Nicola was her only daughter, with three older brothers "who indulged her" from a young age.
"She couldn’t understand when she got older why they still wouldn’t do that," she said.
Mrs Henare said the poetic part of her daughter and daughter’s boyfriend’s death, was they were doing what they loved, as both loved driving fast and partying, they were with their friends and most importantly, they were together.
"They will spend eternity with the loves of their life," she said.
The karanga was also for Raroa who also needed to make peace, she said.
"I wouldn’t want to fathom what they’re going through."
Mrs Henare had hugged Raroa’s partner, Jennifer Smith, who was driving another car in the convoy at the time of the accident, before the sentencing began yesterday.
"You have to be able to forgive, if you don’t forgive for yourself, you’re only going to carry hate," Mrs Henare said.
She said as much as she attended every court case to remind everyone of her daughter’s humanity, it was also to remind Mike and others involved she was also there for them.
"My tikanga won’t allow it, won’t allow them to suffer at our hand because that’s not the way Maori justice works."
Vicki Kelly said her son was someone who had the biggest smile, who would do anything for you.
She had found out about her son’s death from people ringing to tell her he had been in an accident.
As she worked for St John Ambulance at the time, she was able to find out the reports were in fact true.
Reading out her victim impact statement in court, Ms Kelly said her son had found his dream job working on a farm and was working his way up to be second in charge, however Raroa had robbed him of that.
"Shaun will never be present again. Previously happy family events are now shadowed by sorrow and grief."
He would never walk through her door again and help himself to food in the fridge or pantry, she said.
"I now face tasks without my son who always showed up and gave assistance to his mum."
She said she was devastated and heartbroken and she would miss a future with Shaun.
"You have taken his future away from me, you have stolen it from me.
"You are still alive, my son is six feet underground never to breathe again."
