Man charged with murder of woman

Napier Courthouse. Photo: RNZ
Napier Courthouse. Photo: RNZ

The man charged with assaulting a Hastings woman last month has been charged with her murder.

Ranapera Taumata, 26, is now facing two assault charges and one charge of murder.

Taylor-Jade Hira, who was 22, died in Wellington Hospital last month, following the assault at a Huia Street house in the suburb of Camberley on 15 August.

The accused was arrested in South Auckland a week after Ms Hira's death.

He appeared in the High Court in Napier this morning via video link from prison, and has been remanded in custody until a case review hearing on 20 November.

Emergency services were later called to the vacant Huia Street.

A trial date of 3 August 2020 has been set.

Police and fire investigators were called to the vacant Huia Street house in late August after the property was set alight.

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