Zain Taikato-Fox Rotorua homicide case: Twelve charged with murder

Zain Matenga Taikato-Fox, 20, died at Rotorua Hospital from critical injuries. Photo / Supplied

Police have today charged 12 people for the murder of a Rotorua man last month. Seven of those charged are from the small Bay of Plenty town of Maketu.

Zain Taikato Fox, aged 20, died in Rotorua Hospital on July 28 of critical injuries.

Officers have conducted numerous inquiries since then, culminating in search warrants being executed in Maketū, Rotorua and Whanganui this morning.

Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson said it was a big day for the small town of Maketū.

“It’s great to have progressed this investigation to this point. Our thoughts are with Zain’s family.”

Police iwi liaison officers, who had been in Maketū today, would remain to help ensure those affected by the arrests had any support they needed.

The 12 people appeared in the Tauranga Youth Court today.

Those arrested included four men from Rotorua aged 23, 25, 29 and 54.

The seven men arrested from Maketū were aged 37, 38 and 63, two were aged 22, and two were aged 40.

A male youth was arrested in Whanganui and also appeared in the Tauranga Youth Court via audio-visual link.

All were remanded in custody without plea until September 19 when they will appear in the High Court at Tauranga.

All were granted interim name suppression until their next appearance.

Many were supported by family members who offered words of support as they were remanded in custody.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.