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.

As these matters are now before the court, Police has no further comment.

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