Man pleads guilty to BOP murder

Whairiri Tamataoniu Terewa pleaded guilty to the murder of 45-year-old Pomare Mason when he appeared in Whakatane District Court yesterday.

Judge Peter Rollo remanded the 22-year-old Matahi man for sentence in the Rotorua High Court on February 17.

Mr Mason died following a family-related incident in the Matahi Valley on December 22.

A homicide team of 20 detectives were assigned to the case, following the discovery of Mr Mason's body near the Omuriwaka Marae.

Mr Mason's death was the second domestic-related killing in the Matahi Valley during the past six months.

In August, Dillon Hitaua was fatally stabbed by his partner Leigh Tamati, just 5km from where Mr Mason was found.

- NZPA