A man has been arrested over the death of a gang associate whose body was found by walkers in Whakarewarewa Forest near Rotorua in October.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby said a 28-year-old man was arrested in Hamilton today and charged with conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm
to gang associate Hemi Hohepa.
He was due to appear in Hamilton District Court this afternoon where police would request a remand to Rotorua District Court.
Mr Hohepa, 27, died in Rotorua from a single stab wound.
He was known to police and was an associate of the Mongrel Mob.
He may not have known his fate when he was picked up from his Rotorua home, police said earlier.
Mr Hohepa's body was found in the Redwood Grove area of the Whakarewarewa forest on October 20.
Mr Libby said today the investigation into the murder of Mr Hohepa had progressed well during the past few days.
He said police still wanted to speak to people who were present when a Nissan Terrano vehicle picked up Mr Hohepa from his flat in Hilda St, Rotorua.
"We are currently awaiting the results of extensive forensic examination by ESR scientists and police fingerprint experts."
- NZPA
