Man charged with murder of Tokoroa teacher

Lois Dear's handbag, wallet, cellphone and car keys were missing after her death.

A 23-year-old Tokoroa man has been arrested and charged with the murder of school-teacher Lois Dear, police have said.

Detective Inspector Garth Bryan said the man was in custody and would appear in Tokoroa District Court tomorrow.

"I am very grateful to all the public that have assisted in the investigation and the solid support of the community," said Mr Bryan, who led the eight-day hunt for Ms Dear's killer.

He also thanked the media for their co-operation and enthusiasm in assisting police to make an arrest.

It has been just over a week since 66-year-old Strathmore School teacher Ms Dear was killed in her classroom.

She was found by a colleague with multiple head, face and upper body injuries and covered in some undisclosed items, which are being forensically tested.

Ms Dear's daughter Jan Armstrong, of Matatoki, near Thames, said the police had contacted members of the family and told them of the arrest.

"We have not got enough praise for the police - they've been absolutely outstanding," she said.

Mrs Armstrong said the word relief was not enough - "if you could get the Thesaurus out and find a better word than relief that would be good, but it's just like the word thank you, there's no word bigger than that".

Methodist minister Harvey Dalton, who conducted Ms Dear's funeral in Thames on Saturday, said tonight the news of the arrest was great news for the family.

"I am very pleased to hear that they have found someone," he said.

"I feel that the sooner the family are able to bring closure in the matter, the better it will be, not only for them but for all the children as well."

- NZHERALD STAFF / NZPA