Two men charged with the murder of Outlaws leader Peter Lui outside Napier gang pad

Two men have been charged with murder after a four-month investigation into the death of Outlaws motorcycle club boss Peter Lui.

Lui, 63, died after an attack outside the gang's headquarters in Napier's Pandora industrial district on March 19.

Previously charged with related offences, Hemi Rapata Meihana Cahill, 29, of Waipukurau, and Belmont Sonny Freed Eruiti Te Aonui-Tawhai, 22, of Wainuiomata, appeared in Napier District Court on Wednesday via audio-visual link from prison.

Cahill, represented by Eric Forster, and Te Aonui, defended by Roger Phillip standing in for defence counsel Will Hawkins, pleaded not guilty to murdering Lui, also known as "China".

Police prosecutor Tanya Ashfield said the charge replaced a previous joint-charge of wounding with intent to injure.

Each is also charged with aggravated robbery over the alleged taking of Lui's Outlaws MC patch, and with assault with a weapon.

No applications were made on behalf of either man, and Judge Mina Wharepouri remanded them in custody for case-review proceedings in the High Court at Napier on August 13.

More than 20 people filled the gallery, including family and friends of the Lui, and of at least one of the defendants. Three court security staff were also in the courtroom.

Cahill appeared first in connection with Lui's death on May 10, and Te Aonui-Tawhai was charged later.

Lui had been involved with the Outlaws for more than 40 years and was the club's national president.

Peter Lui, left, with his widow Kelly Cook. Photo / Supplied

The Outlaws MC, which formed in Illinois, US, in 1935, established in Napier more than 50 years ago.

International affiliates of the Outlaws MC took to social media to share their condolences, with the Essex, UK, chapter posting: "Ride free in the forever chapter brother".

Lui's wife Kelly Cook earlier told Hawke's Bay Today her husband, a father of three, would be remembered as a "much loved and hardworking family man".