Trigg Ave death: Murder-accused, two other defendants lose name suppression

Police at Trigg Ave where one person died on August 20. Photo / Ben Fraser

A youth charged with murdering a man at a Rotorua house earlier this year can now be publicly named.

Emergency services were called to an alleged assault on Trigg Ave on August 20.

Temutu Ehau, 41, was found in a critical condition and died at the scene.

Name suppression has now lapsed for Hori Jayden Grayson-Karaitiana, 18, of Rotorua, in relation to the incident.

Grayson-Karaitiana has appeared in the High Court at Rotorua and pleaded not guilty to possession of an offensive weapon and murdering Ehau.

Interim name suppression of two others charged has also lapsed.

Deziah Rangitoheriri, 19, and Tamehana Karaitiana-Rangitoheriri, 20, also of Rotorua, have pleaded not guilty to assault with intent to injure and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

A 65-year-old man faces charges of possession of an offensive weapon and assault.

All three still facing charges are set to reappear in the High Court at Rotorua for a case review hearing on November 21.

A reserve trial date has been set for October 4, 2027, in the High Court at Hamilton.

A firm trial date has been set for May 22, 2028.

• This article previously said charges of possession of an offensive weapon and assault against a 65-year-old man were dismissed. He, in fact, pleaded guilty to the two charges and duplicate charges were dismissed for administrative reasons.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.