Ōpōtiki victim named as Heremaia Pene as patched Mongrel Mob member charged with murder

Heremaia Pene has been named as the victim of an Ōpōtiki fight. Image - Supplied

Friends and family are mourning the tragic loss of a man allegedly murdered by a patched Mongrel Mob member in Ōpōtiki.

Heremaia Pene has been named as the victim of a fight on Church Street early on Saturday morning.

Tributes are flowing online for the 36-year-old, with one post calling him a “beloved son”, “devoted partner” and “loving papa”.

“We are deeply saddened to share the tragic passing of our beloved Whirlwind Heremaia George Pene,” the post said.

The Ōpōtiki Golf Club also shared its “extreme sadness” at the news on Facebook.

“On behalf of the Opotiki Golf Club our condolences go out to all his whānau and friends at this devastating time.

“He will be missed by all his golfing buddies and especially his pennant team members. Heremaia was a well-respected member of the club and we will miss his cheeky smile and humble nature.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson said two men had been arrested in relation to the death.

“Yesterday evening, a 31-year-old patched Mongrel Mob member was arrested and charged with murder.

“He appeared in court this morning and has been remanded in custody ahead of his next appearance at the Tauranga District Court on February 26.”

A 25-year-old man was also arrested on Sunday afternoon. He has been charged with assault and is due to reappear in the Whakatane District Court on February 12.

Police are not seeking anyone else.

“Additional police resources from the wider Bay of Plenty District have been in Ōpōtiki since Saturday morning, assisting with inquiries and providing reassurance to the public,” Wilson said.

Ōpōtiki Mayor David Moore shared his condolences for Pene, The Beacon reported.

“All my thoughts are with Heremaia and his whānau. The community has lost an amazing young man,” he was reported as saying.

At an Ōpōtiki District Council meeting, Councillor Barry Howe also spoke about Pene, calling him “a family man, a hard worker and an inspirational leader in our community for the younger youth”, The Beacon reported.

“None of us are [on council] for any other reason than to make Ōpōtiki a good place for our tamariki and our mokopuna. We put all this work in, and we think everything is going along nicely and something disastrous happens like this, with this young man, who was taken out tragically.”

On Sunday, police said the man had died following a “violent altercation” involving gang members and that the death was being investigated as a homicide.

Emergency services were told a group of about six people were fighting on Church St in the eastern Bay of Plenty town about 12.20am, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Varnam said.

“One of those involved had received an injury to the chest consistent with a stab wound.

“Despite medical attention, the man died at the scene.”