Man appearing in court after Tāneatua homicide

A man is appearing in Whakatāne District Court today charged with the murder of a 57-year-old man in Tāneatua last month.

The 28-year-old accused was previously charged with aggravated robbery in relation to an incident in the town on the same day, Monday 14 February.

The 57-year-old victim, Meihana Mason, died in Waikato Hospital on Tuesday 15 February, the day after he was assaulted in his Cobham Street home.

Immediately following this assault on 14 February, a man in his 60s was assaulted outside a bakery on Tuhoe Street, before a man in his 40s was assaulted and had his motorbike stolen on Morrison Street.

In total, four people are facing charges relating to events in Tāneatua on Monday 14 February:

  • A 28-year-old man is appearing in Whakatāne District Court today charged with murder, he also faces a charge of aggravated robbery and assault.
  • A 25-year-old man is charged with aggravated robbery.
  • A second 25-year-old man is charged with aggravated robbery and assault.
  • A 47-year-old woman is charged with perverting the course of justice.
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