Not guilty pleas in murder case

Auckland: Two men accused of murder after Wiremu Arapo died in an East Auckland fire have pleaded not guilty.

In the High Court at Auckland yesterday, a trial date of March 7 next year was set for the men.

One man was remanded in custody until his trial, the other had his bail continued.

The men, from Papatoetoe and Mangere, were jointly charged with murder after the October house fire in Cockle Bay, near Howick

Two other people who were injured in the fire were hospitalised.

The accused both have interim name suppression.

The matter will next be heard on March 31 this year for a case review.