A man charged with the murder of a Head Hunter gang member in Whangarei can now be named.
Interim name suppression for Michael John Paewhenua, 27, lapsed when he appeared for a callover in the High Court at Whangarei on Thursday.
He is accused of murdering Moses Noor Mahanga, 25, who died of a gunshot wound on October 4 last year as he sat in the driver's seat of a car parked in William Jones Drive near the entrance to Fishbone Park.
A not guilty plea was recorded in court and Crown prosecutor Mike Smith said he was ready to proceed. Paewhenua was remanded in custody to re-appear for a trial callover on April 20.
His trial will start on November 27 and is expected to take 10 days.
A tangi for Mr Mahanga was held at Waiomio Marae on October 10 and, on their way north, gang members and their supporters on about 70 motorbikes and in 30 vehicles diverted into Otangarei for a blessing and to lay a wreath.
A local minister blessed the site and said a prayer.