Man faces trial for death of NZ honeymooner in Fiji

The man charged over the death of a Blenheim woman killed on her Fijian honeymoon a year ago will go on trial in March.

Boat labourer Tomasi Natutuvuli Tovou, 27, was the driver of the boat that allegedly hit Rebecca Stockwell (nee Crawley) as she snorkelled with her husband Hayden at Matamanoa Island on November 30 last year.

Detective Sergeant John Hamilton said that Fijian investigators told him Tovou would appear for a pre-trial conference on February 16, with the hearing due to start on March 9.

The Marlborough Express reported Fiji assistant police spokesman corporal Josaia Weicavu as saying the boat Tuvou was driving on the day Mrs Stockwell was killed was allegedly on the wrong side of the buoys used to mark a boat lane.

- NZPA