Police have arrested and charged a 52-year-old man in connection with the death of Linda Woods in Kaikohe.
The man was arrested without incident during a search warrant at a nearby property this morning.
He will appear in the Kaikohe District Court tomorrow, charged with manslaughter, burglary and aggravated assault.
Police earlier raided a Kaikohe property as they closed in on the alleged killer of Woods who died during a violent scuffle in her own home.
Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston said after the arrest police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the matter but investigators have a large amount of inquiry work to continue with over coming days.
“I would like to thank the community for their cooperation throughout this investigation, particularly those who contacted the team to provide information.”
He said the community would have questions about the person taken into custody.
“While there are now a number of aspects we are unable to comment on, what we can say is that we are pleased to have brought a resolution for Linda’s whānau.
“Her death was a tragedy, and we know that this has been felt deeply throughout the community.
“We hope this arrest will bring some comfort to both Linda’s family and the wider community in Kaikohe.
“However, as this matter is now before the court, police are unable to provide further information at this time.”
Earlier today, two police officers stood guard outside the Taraire St house at the centre of the search warrant. A large blue gazebo on the property’s small front lawn shielded the front of the home from view.
To its side was a white forensic trailer and an officer in a blue boiler suit could be seen nearby. The home was close to the road and washing could be seen hanging on the clothesline at the back of the house.
A group of whānau and friends were gathered at Woods’ home, located less than 200m away from the property being searched, ahead of her tangi tomorrow.
Many came onto the street to see what was unfolding a short distance away.
Rameka Kaukau was visiting his aunty who lives across the road from the police cordon. He was checking to see if she was OK in the wake of last week’s killing.
Kaukau said they felt absolute aroha for Woods’ and her whānau.
He hadn’t seen any commotion across the street but said he may not have been there when police approached the property.
”We’re still in shock. How could anyone do that to an elderly woman.”
Kaukau’s aunt has lived on the road for more than 20 years without any major problems.
”This is unfortunate for Kaikohe. Another taint on this village when we’re trying to get out of that life.”
Taraire St resident Angela Phillips was taking her dog outside this morning when she noticed “a lot” of officers and undercover police cars at the property next door.
”I was taken aback,” she said.
Phillips knew the people living next door but said most people on the street tended to keep to themselves.
”They do their thing and we do ours. We’re all pretty private but we come together when we have to.”
Phillips, who has lived on Taraire St for three and a half years, took comfort in how the community has rallied since Woods’ death. While she didn’t know Woods directly, she knew some of her whānau.
”In saying that, how can you not be affected? We’re a small community.”
Phillips praised iwi and hapū who had come together in aid of Woods’ family as soon as the 71-year-old’s body was returned home.
She was one of many to visit the home to pay respects to Woods and her whānau.
”Paying my respects took the fear away. The love for and from the whānau is bigger than the tragedy so is the love in this community for Linda.”
The day prior to the arrest, police announced a breakthrough in the case in the form of a DNA sample recovered from a pair of cut-off jean shorts and trainers left at the scene by the offender.
Police investigating the dialysis patient’s death earlier said they believed it started as a “sexually motivated burglary”.
Police had planned to go door-to-door in Kaikohe today to track down a match for the DNA, which did not pair with anyone in the national database.
Northland CIB detective inspector Rhys Johnston told RNZ police would try to get voluntary DNA samples to eliminate or include people in the inquiry.
They believed the offender was “most likely” someone local since the man left on foot. However, he said officers would “cover all bases” with inquiries including CCTV and vehicles.