Man charged over Taranaki Highway death

Hawera woman Christine Fairweather was killed while removing signs blocking the State Highway. Photo / Supplied

A man has been charged in relation to the death of a woman who was struck by a car on a Taranaki highway in August.

Christine Fairweather was killed while she was moving metal barriers that were blocking a lane of State Highway 3, at Normanby in Taranaki on August 2.

Police said a 28-year-old Taranaki man has been charged with careless driving causing death and appeared in the Hawera District Court today.

He pleaded guilty to the charge and would be sentenced on January 13, 2015.

Detective Guy Jackson, officer in charge of the investigation said: "This charge is just one part of our ongoing investigation into the death of Christine.

"We have spoken to a number of people regarding the metal barriers being placed in the middle of the road and at this stage our inquiries are ongoing.

"Police remain in contact with Christine's family and we are continuing to update them as the investigation progresses."

The Fairweather family released a statement through police today.

They thanked police and the community for "all their care and concern during and after the death of Christine".

The family said they wanted the police investigation to be "unclouded" by social commentary and gossip.

"We would however like to mention that at no time has our family ever had any animosity towards the driver of the car on the night Christine died.

"In fact we believe that he is as much a victim of the stupidity of those who placed the barriers in the road that night as Christine and our family are.

"It is paramount to us now that whoever is responsible can be brought to justice and we will not be commenting further at this time for fear of jeopardising the investigation."