By-election candidate charged with attempted murder

Maurice Wairau.

Former Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election candidate Maurice Wairau has been charged with attempted murder.

Wairau, 37, appeared in the Hastings District Court this morning where he faced charges of attempted murder, intentional damage, aggravated burglary and injuring with reckless disregard.

He did not enter pleas to any of the charges.

Wairau contested the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate as an independent following the death of Parekura Horomia in April last year.

He also ran unsuccessfully for the seat in the 2011 general election.

Court documents said Wairau set fire to the Housing New Zealand property he was living in in Palmerston North before making his way to Hawkes Bay on December 20.

Police allege he then entered a Hastings property armed with a knife "with intent to commit a crime within that building".

Wairau is charged with attempting to murder a Hastings man and injuring another woman.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear in the High Court next month.