Man charged with murder
Police have confirmed that a man arrested in relation to a homicide investigation in Hāwera has been charged with murder.
The 46-year-old was due to appear in the High Court at New Plymouth on May 17, a police statement said yesterday.
“As this matter is now before the court, we are unable to provide any further details,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Debbie Gower.
Hāwera man Whatitiri Whakaruru, 26, died on Monday following a disorder-related incident at a Gladstone St property, and the man now charged with murder was arrested two days later.
Whakaruru suffered serious injuries at an accommodation complex made up of private rentals and emergency housing.
One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said they returned home on Monday night to find two ambulances, multiple police cars and a fire truck on the street, and rushed inside to make sure their family were OK, which they were.
Another neighbour said they had heard shouting before looking out the window to see emergency services.
Though police are no longer seeking anyone else in relation to Whakaruru’s death, they are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who saw anything that could relate to the incident on Gladstone Rd between 9.30pm and 11pm on April 22.
Anyone with information is asked to call 105, or make a report online at 105.police. govt.nz.
Whakaruru’s whānau and friends have been sharing memories and messages of love on social media.
His older sister, Courtney Ruru, said she had never thought she would be sharing the news of the death of her little brother.
“Heavy on the mind today my brother,” she said in a social media post published on Tuesday.