Taupo murder-accused loses bid to suppress name

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A woman accused of murdering a Taupo pre-schooler has lost her bid to keep her name secret.

Tania Shailer, 26, had an application for name suppression declined during a hearing in the High Court at Rotorua today.

She has been charged, alongside David William Haerewa, 43, of the murder of 3-year-old Moko Sayviah Ranitoheriri. Haerewa was also initially granted name suppression but it lapsed on October 1.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty in a court appearance earlier this month.

Moko was admitted to Taupo Hospital with critical injuries in August. He died before he was able to be transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland.

Justice Timothy Brewer heard arguments from Shailer's lawyers, Scott Mills and Andy Schulze and Crown solicitor Amanda Gordon.

He said he was "not satisfied" that the publication of Shailer's name would cause her extreme hardship or have an adverse affect on potential Crown witnesses, who would automatically have their identities suppressed.

Justice Brewer also rejected Mr Mills' argument that potential witnesses may be at risk if her name was published because Moko's father was a patched gang member.

"In summary, I have not found that the threshold for suppressing the identity of Ms Shailer has been crossed. The application for suppression of identity is declined," Justice Brewer said.

Both defendants have been remanded into custody until a case review hearing on December 2.

A trial date has been set for May 9, 2016.