He was charged with two counts of murder in connection with a double homicide when he appeared in Kaitaia District Court before a Justice of the Peace yesterday.
Dressed in a police-issue boiler suit, Maheno said nothing during his appearance. His lawyer, Ken Bailey, entered no plea on behalf of his client, nor did he make an application for name suppression or bail. Maheno was remanded in custody to May 30 for an assessment of his mental health and fitness to plead.
Family and friends were reeling after the double tragedy.
Mary-Anne Adlam, from Ahipara, said her cousin Ivan was a gentle, caring man and always happy.
He had worked in forestry but over the last few years had been suffering from Parkinson's disease.
"Even through his sickness he would always try and brush it aside and he didn't want you worrying about him," Mrs Adlam said.
She praised the support of his wife Carmen. "She was a lovely girl. I quite often thanked her and she looked after him with his sickness.
"As a family we were so happy she was there for him. They supported each other and were a lovely couple."
She said friends, family and the wider rural community were devastated by the deaths.
Mrs Adlam said Maheno was a nephew of the couple. "We are at a loss as to why this has happened."
Te Roopu Whanau Te Kohanga Reo, where Mrs Maheno worked, held a service with the students yesterday as a mark of respect.
Head of the police investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Burke, said the deaths were a tragedy and the two children were being looked after by their wider whanau.
He appealed to the public for more information surrounding the deaths. "Anyone with any information on the events that have occurred at 24A Fairburn Rd, if they could contact Kaitaia police on 09 408 6500, or Crimestoppers."
He said a gun had been found but there was no indication yet as to what sparked the shooting.
It's believed Mr Maheno's body was found in the house and his wife was found badly injured nearby. It was understood she had been chased a short distance before being shot.
The deaths sparked a number of posts on Facebook.
Julie Stevens, a former Kaitaia College student now living in Queensland, wrote: "No words can express the pain right now :( R.I.P my friends. Gone but never forgotten. Forever in my heart xoxoxoxo" Agnes Isaacs wrote: "Arohanui to the Maheno Whanau. Ivan, we have known yu for soo long, and to hear that yu have gone. Our thoughts and prayers from Boy and I. R.I.P Ivan. will not forget yu Ivan. xox Arohanui Uncle Boy and Aggie. xox"
