Man appears on murder charge

Samuel Culling was found dead on Taieri Court in Palmerston North in the early hours of August 6. Photo / Supplied

A 31-year-old man has appeared in the Palmerston North District Court this afternoon charged with the murder of Samuel Culling.

The victim, also known as Samuel Whatuira and Samuel Badawi, was found dead on Taieri Court in Palmerston North in the early hours of August 6.

The defendant, who has interim name suppression, made no plea and was remanded in custody by consent until November 4.

Defence lawyer Tony Thackery said reasons for suppression would be canvassed at the next hearing.

The public gallery was full of Mr Culling's friends and family who shouted at the defendant as the hearing came to a close.

One woman yelled: "You're guilty c*** - you killed my f***ing nephew."

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Culling, who was just 26, died a violent death and had been shot once in the head. Police said he was possibly killed in another location before being dumped near the block of flats at Taieri Court.

A team of 20 officers worked on the investigation and made an appeal to the public asking for anyone for who had seen Mr Culling in the days before his death to make contact.

His family issued a statement shortly after his death saying they were lost for words and "we truly cannot believe this has happened to our Sam. It's an absolutely horrendous situation and so difficult to fathom".

Mr Culling is the son of former Black Power head John Whatuira and the nephew of James Poto Whatuira, who was fatally shot in Woodville in January.