Man accused of murdering Northland woman Gaelene Bright appears in court

Gaelene Bright was 69 when she went missing from Waimamaku in south Hokianga. A man has been charged with her murder. /file photo

The man accused of murdering Northland woman Gaelene Joy Bright has made a brief appearance in the High Court at Whangārei this morning.

The accused is charged with murdering Bright, who was 69, at Waimamaku on or about May 1, this year, and with being unlawfully in possession of a firearm – a .22 rifle.

He appeared in court via AV-link from a prison remand unit.

Counsel Leo Lafferty sought an adjournment saying he was arranging a private medical expert to see the accused.

The adjournment was not opposed by Crown prosecutor Mike Smith.

Justice Timothy Brewer further remanded the accused in custody and granted further interim name suppression until the next call of the case on June 30.

The accused will be expected to enter a plea that day and the interim suppression order will also be revisited.

Justice Brewer also scheduled a three-week jury trial, starting June 13, next year. The date and duration of the trial will be reviewed at the next appearance.

The judge and Lafferty – who is a Hawkes Bay lawyer - also appeared via AV-link.

Mike Smith appeared in person. Members of Bright's family were also present in court.

Police found Bright's body in the Waipoua Forest, near State Highway 12 on the west coast of Northland, after a five-day search.

The last trace of her was early on May 1 when she left a friend's house in the village of Waimamaku, in the south Hokianga area.

Police initially appealed to the public for information about the movements of Bright's white 2000 Holden Rodeo 4x4, registration YW7634, between Northland and Te Kuiti on May 3 and 4.