Five people who were arrested after riots outside Hawera District Court in March reappeared in the court today on charges of resisting police and disorderly behaviour.
All five defendants, Jason Te Ake Tarewa Aranui, Allan Hughes-Kapita, Stephen Gregory Paul Whanga Katipa, Daniel Alfred Moka and Aloma Eve Aroma Wakatutu appeared before Judge Chris Sygrove in Hawera District Court today.
Court was closed to the public during their appearances and there was an increased police presence as well as Maori wardens on duty.
Each defendant was told their next appearance would be for a judge-alone trial to take place in New Plymouth on August 10.
The charges related to a fracas which took place at Hawera District Court on March 1 this year when two Manaia women appeared in court on charges relating to the theft of survey pegs belonging to Shell Todd Oil Services on December 14 last year.