Dunedin bus-hub murder: Accused teenager enters not guilty plea

Flowers and tributes for Enere John Jnr Poepoe McLaren-Taana who died after being stabbed at the Dunedin bus hub on May 13. Photo / Ben Tomsett

A youth accused of murdering a 16-year-old at the Dunedin bus hub appeared in the High Court at Dunedin today.

Enere John Jnr Poepoe McLaren-Taana died from a single stab wound on May 13 on Great King St in the city centre.

A full public gallery saw the 13-year-old murder accused, who has name suppression, appear by video link before Justice Cameron Mander and enter a not guilty plea.

A bail application will be heard on July 2, as well as an application for the continuation of the present suppression order.

Police officers at the scene of the incident near the Dunedin Police station where Enere John Jnr Poepoe McLaren-Taana died. Photo / Ben Tomsett

The defendant was remanded in custody until a case review hearing date on September 3.

A trial date has been tentatively set for February 2026.

McLaren-Taana was stabbed shortly after 3pm at the Dunedin bus hub on May 13, where hundreds of school pupils were present.

He was taken to hospital in a serious condition and died that evening, police said in a statement.

Friends and family of the Trinity Catholic College pupil have left flowers and tributes at the scene in the weeks since his death.

Ben Tomsett is a Multimedia Journalist for the New Zealand Herald, based in Dunedin.