Man charged with murder of two Tauranga men granted name suppression

A road block at the Bethlehem roundabout as police search State Highway 2 after a fatal shooting on Thursday night. Photo / Andrew Warner

The 25-year-old charged with the murder of two men in Tauranga has been granted interim name suppression in the Christchurch District Court today.

The Auckland man's partner wept in the public gallery as he stood in the dock with his eyes down.

Duty Lawyer Moana Cole argued for interim name suppression for the accused, on the grounds of risk to a fair trial, mental health concerns and fear of retaliation.

Judge Tony Couch made the order for interim name suppression on the basis of fear of retaliation - because of the possibility the murder was gang related.

He also granted a request by police to suppress the victims' names - telling the court while the names were already in the public domain, the information was still speculative.

The 25-year-old will next appear at the high court in Tauranga on February 26.

Meanwhile, State Highway 2 (southbound) between Waihi Rd off-ramp and Takitimu Drive on-ramp has reopened following the fatal shooting on Thursday night.

However, the southbound SH2 link road to the City Centre/ Mount Maunganui remains closed and vehicles must exit at 15th Ave.

The scene examination is continuing.

Police are yet to formally identify the man who was killed and a post mortem is expected to be carried out today.