Daytona Thompson jailed for manslaughter of Daniel Nganeko

Tuesday 7 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 7 reports · updated Wed 8 Oct 2025, 9:51am

In this story Tukapa Rugby and Sports Club

Daytona Thompson, 22, has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison for the manslaughter of Daniel Nganeko. The court heard Thompson filmed and taunted Nganeko as he lay dying after an unprovoked punch in New Plymouth. Nganeko's family and supporters expressed anger, stating the sentence was not tough enough.

How they headlined it

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Tue 12:06pm5:08pm7:13pm8:39pm

1. NZ HeraldTue 7 Oct 2025, 12:06pm

   Daytona Thompson sentenced for coward punch manslaughter of Daniel Nganeko in New Plymouth (opens in new tab)

2. StuffTue 7 Oct 2025, 4:20pm

   Coward punch sentence angers family who vow to keep campaigning (opens in new tab)

3. RNZTue 7 Oct 2025, 4:34pm

   Coward-punch killer filmed victim as he lay dying (opens in new tab)

   • 'We've got a life sentence, and the perpetrator hasn't': Whānau devastated with coward-punch killer's sentence (opens in new tab) Tue 7 Oct 2025, 8:39pm
4. 1News via RNZTue 7 Oct 2025, 5:08pm

   Coward-punch killer filmed victim Daniel Nganeko as he lay dying (opens in new tab)

   • Whānau devastated with coward-punch killer's sentence (opens in new tab) Wed 8 Oct 2025, 9:51am
5. Otago Daily TimesTue 7 Oct 2025, 7:13pm

   Coward punch killer mocked victim as he lay dying (opens in new tab)