Name suppression lifted on murder accused

A man charged with murdering another man in a rural Northland home yesterday has had his name suppression lifted.

Rota John Kohi Ranapia, 30, entered no plea and was remanded in custody after appearing in Whangarei District Court yesterday. Name suppression expired at 11am today.

Police have not yet released the name of the dead man whose body was found at a house in Mangapai, 30km south of Whangarei, early yesterday morning.

Northland police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said police hoped to name him later today.

She said police continued to speak to witnesses and examine the scene.

Ranapia will reappear in court on September 15.

- NZPA