28 Mar 2024

Second murder charge laid after death of Ōpōtiki Mongrel Mob Barbarians president Steven Taiatini

12:57 pm on 28 March 2024
Auckland, New Zealand - December 24, 2020: Close up of a New Zealand police officer's uniform and badge

A 38-year-old woman is expected to appear in court on the murder charge. Photo: 123RF

Another person has been charged with the murder of Mongrel Mob Barbarians president Steven Taiatini.

Taiatini was hit by a car on Saint John Street in Ōpōtiki after an earlier altercation on 9 June 2023.

A 38-year-old woman is expected to appear in Whakatāne District Court on Thursday on the murder charge.

In a statement, police said officers "remained dedicated to finding answers and holding those responsible to account for both Steven's death and the violent incidents which surrounded it".

The investigation continues and police remain interested in hearing from anyone with information that may be useful to us about what happened."

Earlier in March, a 50-year-old man was also charged with Taiatini's murder.

He had previously been charged with perverting the course of justice before the murder charge was laid.

A 19-year-old man and a 41-year-old man remain before the courts on other charges linked to the homicide probe.

Any further information about the investigation can be given to police by quoting reference number 230610/2652.