Man accused of killing father of four named

Olo Fiti. Photo / Supplied

A 25-year-old man accused of murdering a father of four in south Auckland on Friday night can now be named.

The man, who appeared at Manukau District Court yesterday charged with stabbing Olo Fiti, 37, to death outside a friend's place in Preston Rd, Otara about 11.30pm on Friday.

Sam Simi had been given interim name suppression for 24 hours so a close relative could be told of the charge.

Simi was arrested at Auckland International Airport on Saturday night as he was about to board a flight to Samoa, 24 hours after the slaying.

He has been remanded in custody to reappear in court on May 13.

Simi's lawyer Panama Le'au'anae said outside court that his client and Mr Fiti had both been drinking.

"There was some confrontation and some fighting, but it's too early to say to what extent," he said.

Mr Le'au'anae said he thought his client and Mr Fiti were acquainted, but did not think they were good friends.

Joe Pisa, a close friend of Mr Fiti, shouted obscenities at Simi from the public gallery when he appeared yesterday.

- NZPA