Police name man found dead in Tuai

DEATH: A man found dead by police in the settlement of Tuai has been identified as 30-year-old Tawari Mita. PHOTO FILE

Police have named the man who died in Tuai, near Wairoa, on Saturday.

He was 30-year-old Tawari Mita.

Police were called to a home in the settlement at about 3am on Saturday, where Mr Mita was found dead.

Wairoa mayor Craig Little earlier said the death was "a waste".

"It is just tragic - it has shocked everybody," he said.

A post-mortem examination has been conducted to ascertain the cause of Mr Mita's death.

"We are still not releasing any details at this stage on how he died," said Gisborne CIB head Detective Sergeant Kevin Ford.

A 20-year-old man will appear at the Gisborne High Court this Friday, charged with murder, wounding with intent to injure and unlawful possession of a firearm.

He remains in custody at Mangaroa Prison.