Epsom motel death: Teens charged with murder

Beauen Wallace-Loretz (left) and Leonard Nattrass-Berquist have been charged with the murder of an Auckland man. Photo / Supplied

Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of Auckland man Ihaia Gillman-Harris this afternoon after they went to police.

The pair will appear in Auckland District Court on Friday and it is understood they will remain in police custody until then.

Police revealed this morning they were looking for Leonard Nattrass-Berquist and Beauen Wallace-Loretz, both 17.

Police alleged the pair were with Mr Gillman-Harris when he checked into an Epsom motel on Saturday.

Ihaia Gillman-Harris. Photo / Supplied

Shortly after check-in, two young men left in Mr Gillman-Harris' vehicle.

An hour later he went to reception with a serious head injury and asked for help. He died in hospital soon after.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard could not comment further on the specifics of the investigation or charges as the matter was now before the court/

"Police would like to thank members of the public who have assisted the investigation," Mr Beard said.

"It's a relief to be able to give Mr Gillman-Harris's family the news that we have arrested these two people."

The CCTV footage of Leonard Nattrass-Berquist and Beauen Wallace-Loretz at the motel. Photos / Supplied

Mr Gillman-Harris was a private man who worked for KiwiRail as a team leader assistant in Auckland's Southdown freight terminal.

He spent Christmas Day in Wellington before travelling to Auckland on Boxing Day.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Gillman-Harris died as a result of blunt-force trauma to his head but Mr Beard would not say if a weapon had been used.

- additional reporting Brendan Manning