Turipapa Tukere death: Man arrested after search warrants in Hamilton and Tauranga

A man has been charged with the murder of Turipapa Tukere, who died following a fight in Ngāruawāhia in December.

Police received a report of a fight involving multiple people on Waipā Esplanade, near the intersection of Newton St about 1.30pm on December 27.

A critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan St, but died before she could be airlifted to the hospital.

A 34-year-old man was arrested this morning following two search warrants in Hamilton carried out with the help of the Armed Offenders Squad and a search warrant in Tauranga, police said today.

A homicide investigation is ongoing after 42-year-old Turipapa Tukere died after a brawl on December 27.

He is scheduled to appear in Hamilton District Court today.

“We would like to thank the Ngāruawāhia community for their support during the investigation into Turipapa’s death,” Detective Senior Sergeant Andrew Saunders said.

“The investigation is ongoing and we are not ruling out further arrests.

“If you have information which could assist the investigation team but have not yet spoken to us, please get in touch via 105, either online or over the phone.

“Please reference file number 241227/6958.″