Bail for man accused of killing school principal

Hawea Vercoe was also a regional councillor. Photo / Daily Post

The man accused of killing Hawea Vercoe has been let out of prison on bail but must live in Auckland until his next court date.

Isaiah Johnson Richard Tai, 21, appeared before Judge Christopher Harding in the Whakatane District Court this week for a bail application.

He has been charged with murdering the popular Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti principal and Environment Bay of Plenty councillor.

Mr Vercoe, 36, died after being assaulted outside a bar in Whakatane last month.

It was Tai's third appearance in the court since being charged. During his appearance in front of Judge Harding, the accused stood with his arms folded, looking at the ground.

As it was when Tai last appeared in court, the public gallery in the courtroom was full of supporters, with Tai's family and friends on one side and Vercoe family members and supporters on the other. Tai's mother and father sat in the gallery holding hands, both visibly upset.

Police opposed bail but Judge Harding granted it, on the strict condition Tai live in Auckland.

Other conditions include that he obey a curfew between 8pm and 7am, refrain from alcohol and non-prescription drugs - and submit to a breath screening test on request by police - and not visit the Eastern Bay of Plenty area or witnesses involved in the case.

There were smiles and hugs from Tai's supporters when he was led from the court. However, one of the Vercoe family members swore at Tai and was upset outside the court house, gesturing to Tai's supporters.

He was restrained by Mr Vercoe's mother, Rosalind Vercoe, and other family members.

Mrs Vercoe told the Daily Post they were not surprised by the decision. "The judge had to work with the law... I'm disappointed but not surprised."

Another family member, Rihi Vercoe, said the whanau would get their day in court.

"We had already resigned ourselves to the fact he would get bail. It was to be expected that [Tai] would have a high chance of success. But the important one is the actual trial."

Tai's family refused to comment about the decision. Tai will appear in court again on January 19.