Gisborne District Court. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Three people have been charged over the murder of 39-year-old Rawiri Zane Wharerau and the attempted murder of his 41-year-old brother.
Both men were shot at their Stokes Valley home during a family member's 50th birthday celebration in the early hours of Saturday, 16 December 2023.
Rawiri died at the address, while his brother was transported to hospital in a critical condition.
Police said a 33-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on Thursday on charges of murder and attempted murder.
A 53 year-old woman was also due to appear in the Gisborne District Court charged with accessory after the fact.
"The investigation team would like to thank the community and whanau who helped us tremendously in the investigation, providing information which assisted in identifying those responsible and holding them to account," said Detective Inspector Haley Ryan.
"No one deserves to suffer the events that led to the death of one brother and the serious harm of another. We hope these arrests provide reassurance to the community and Wharerau whanau."
