Body buried in backyard: Woman accused of Papanui murder in court

A woman accused of murdering a man and burying him in the backyard of his north Christchurch home appeared in court this morning.

Rena Joyce aka Maloney, 55, a kitchen hand, is charged with murdering Martin Orme Berry on December 29.

Police were alerted to the "location of the body" at a property on Main North Rd in Papanui two weeks later.

At the High Court in Christchurch this morning, Maloney made a brief appearance from custody.

Justice Cameron Mander remanded her in custody without plea until February 19.

The family have said they are "devastated" by Berry's death.