Police charge 16-year-old with murder of Whangarei man

Second Av house at the centre of a police investigation in Whangarei. PICTURE/Michael Cunningham

A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged with the murder of Whangarei man Michael Patrick Griffin.

The teenager is to appear in Whangarei Youth Court later today.

Head of the investigation Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said the arrest came about through information supplied by the Whangarei community and good police work.

"Although an arrest has been made, the investigation is still far from over," Mr Burke said.

Mr Griffin was found at the rear of his Second Ave home with serious head injuries on Sunday about 8am. He was taken to Whangarei Hospital by ambulance but later died. A post-mortem examination has found Mr Griffin, the father of three adult sons, was killed by a severe blunt-force blow to the head.

Mr Griffin had been working on alterations to a garage at the rear of his house, where he lived alone, when he was found seriously injured by friends who had gone to visit. It is not known when the assault happened, but police believed it was in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The family of Mr Griffin and the investigation team appreciate the help from the Whangarei community and still urge any body who has any information to contact officers on 09 430 4500 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.