KEY POINTS:
A man charged with the murder of a 25-year-old shot three times at point-blank range at the weekend has appeared in court this morning.
The man was given name suppression and remanded in custody for three weeks at Manukau District Court.
Family and friends of victim John Maeva hurled abuse at the accused in court.
Mr Maeva, 25, was fatally shot outside his home in Papatoetoe around 12.30am on Sunday.
Detective Inspector John Tims said earlier today: "From the outset, we were confident of identifying and finding the offender."
The man presented himself at the Mangere Police Station late yesterday afternoon. Following the man's arrest, "an address in South Auckland was secured and we removed a motor vehicle from that address" Mr Tims said.
Police are still looking for the weapon involved in the shooting. Today, Police will be conducting a search of the property where the vehicle was found.
The victim's family were advised early this morning of the arrest and are pleased that an arrest has been made. Police said this enables them to concentrate on funeral arrangements for Mr Maeva.
Mr Maeva was shot three times, twice in the head and once in the side with a .22-calibre weapon, as he was returning home.
He was father and stepfather to six children ranging in age from one to 13 years and his partner was seven months pregnant with their second child.
She found him in a pool of blood outside their home after hearing the shots.
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
