Bar death: police await test results

Woody's Bar in Manurewa. Photo / Janna Dixon

The cause of death of a man at a South Auckland night club won't be known until more tests are done on his body.

A post-mortem examination on the 30-year-old was completed at the weekend but did not reveal how he died.

He was apparently being restrained after a scuffle broke out at Woody's Bar in Manurewa early on Saturday morning when the man was reportedly asked to leave the 28th birthday party of Ta James Ramea, also known as Frantik.

Ramea is in custody and has has been charged with assault. He will appear in the Manukau District Court today.

The test results may be crucial in deciding if further charges are laid.

Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Wilkie said police still had to speak to the dead man's relatives in Australia and his name was not available.

The bar was closed yesterday while officers examined the scene and spoke to witnesses.

Friends of Ramea's posted messages of support on his Facebook page, many of them urging people to wait and hear what happened and allow him to tell his story before they judged him.

In an online post, Woodys Bar owner Anita Stowers said the bar would remain closed for two days after police left as a sign of respect.

"To the families of everyone, Woody's Bar staff and management are sincerely and respectfully remorseful for what has happened no words can describe this feeling right now all we can hope for is that our prayers are heard and answered."

A friend of Ramea's said the dead man gatecrashed his party.

"He was hassling the bouncers, no one knew who he was."