A man arrested in connection with a New Year's Day death in Auckland has had his charged upgraded to murder.
Nathan Albert died after being stabbed in Pilkington Rd, Panmure, shortly after 4am.
Peter Shaun Johnathon Job, 38, handed himself into police and was initially charged with assault.
The charge was upgraded to murder when he appeared in Auckland District Court today.
Job, who smiled and waved at about a dozen supporters from the dock, did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody to appear again next mont.
Detective Inspector Mark Benefield told Radio New Zealand earlier this month that Mr Albert had died a violent death involving a weapon.
Pilkington Rd resident Daniel Taorei told APNZ he was woken by shouting about 4am.
"I looked out the window and saw a fella walk across the road and just collapse.
"It's usually a quiet street. Nothing like this has really happened here."
