A man charged with the murder of his partner in a house fire at Tikitiki, on the East Coast, last October was granted bail when he appeared in Gisborne District Court this morning.
Lawrence Huihui Wawatai, 55, was remanded in custody at his first appearance last Friday, when he was charged with murdering 49-year-old Maryann Akuhata.
Wawatai, who has not entered a plea, was bailed to a Bay of Plenty address with a 24-hour curfew.
He was remanded for a pre-committal appearance in Gisborne District Court in March.
His appearance at that hearing has been excused.