Man charged with murder of Kerrin Payne in Taihape appears in court

The man charged with murdering Kerrin Payne in Taihape on Saturday morning was Te Ao Hakopa. Photo / Bevan Conley

The man charged with murdering 43-year-old Kerrin Payne in Taihape on Saturday morning can now be named.

He is 23-year-old Te Ao Hakopa.

Hakopa appeared in Whanganui District Court on Monday charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Hakopa was represented by lawyer Anna Brosnahan who did not enter pleas on his behalf and said that legal aid had been applied for.

Just after midnight on Saturday morning, police were called out to an assault on Taihape's Thrush St, which was the street listed as Hakopa's address on a charging document.

There, they found Payne, known as Ted, with critical injuries.

While being taken to a nearby airbase to be airlifted to hospital, Payne died.

Judge Philip Crayton remanded Hakopa in custody until August 7 at 10am when he will appear in the high court.

"I love you my son," a woman called out as Hakopa exited the courtroom.