A 24-year-old unemployed man has appeared in court in relation to the 2008 kidnapping and murder of Christchurch prostitute Mellory Manning.
Mahau Huataki Fawcett of New Windsor, Auckland appeared briefly at the Auckland District Court this afternoon.
The unemployed man is accused of kidnapping and murdering Ms Manning, a prostitute whose first name is listed as Ngatai on the police charge sheets.
According to the charge sheets, the murder and kidnapping happened on December 18 in 2008.
Judge Brooke Gibson remanded Fawcett in custody by consent to reappear in the Christchurch District Court on Monday.
Police said earlier the man arrested was identified as a person of interest early in the investigation.
But investigation head Detective Inspector Greg Williams would not comment on whether he had gang affiliations.
Earlier today Ms Manning's brother, Robin Manning, said he had been told by police an arrest had been made or was imminent.
"It's great news. I definitely wasn't expecting it. I thought it might take a bit longer. It's been well over three years (of waiting).''
Ms Manning's extensively-injured body was found dumped in the Avon River on December 19, 2008.
Investigators believe she was attacked at a large section on Galbraith Ave, which was being used by the Mongrel Mob at the time of her murder.
Last September, it was revealed Ms Manning, 27, was also sexually assaulted, and a semen sample had been recovered from her body.
The semen would have been left at the time of her death or very close to it. Police said it was not Fawcett's.
Police expect to interview a number of people associated with Fawcett over the next few days.
