He is next due to appear in August and a trial date has been scheduled for next year.
Name suppression for the victim was lifted.
A death notice posted by Reweti’s family described him as “a humble soul, a devoted father, son brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many”.
It said he was a “very special man in our whānau”.
Reweti has been laid to rest at Poupatatē Marae at Halcombe, Manawatū.
Police released a statement thanking the public for information and assistance that had been provided in the case.
“Police continue their investigation and we continue to support the whānau, dealing with the loss of their loved one in such horrendous circumstances,” it said.
Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay. His writing in the crime and justice sphere is informed by four years of front-line experience as a probation officer.