Nelson Bays police have released the name of the person who was killed following an assault in Stoke on Friday night.
He was 48-year-old James Whitikau Barton, from Nelson.
Video / Andrew MacDonald
Nelson police have charged a man with murdering James Whitikau Barton and have credited tips from the public for leading to the charge.
Police have been investigating the death of Whiti Barton who was allegedly fatally assaulted at a Stoke address on Friday, November 10.
Detective Inspector Lex Bruning thanked the public for its help with the investigation.
“The information we received was valuable in piecing together what happened on the night Mr Whitikau died and enabled us to come to this result,” Bruning said.
Police earlier appealed for any sightings of a white BMW believed to have been linked to the homicide, and with the public’s help, found it a week after the incident.
Bruning earlier said there were people who knew what happened that evening, as well as the motive behind the incident.
A long and rowdy procession travels up Nelson's Vanguard St for the tangi of James Whitikau Barton. Photo / Tracy Neal
He had been urging them to “do the right thing” and tell police what they knew: “The family are grieving and deserve answers.”
Barton’s family and friends have posted about his death on social media, sharing a photograph of him with their tributes.
‘Taken too soon’ say family
Police were called to the address at 7pm, November 10, and found Barton, known as Whiti, with critical injuries.
He was rushed to hospital and died soon after.
Bruning said he believed the people involved in the assault were known to Barton.
James Whitikau Barton died after he was allegedly assaulted at an address in Stoke, Nelson.
“Our thoughts are with his family and police will work to support them through this difficult time as we investigate to give them answers,” he said.
A scene examination at the Orchard St property was completed over the weekend following his death and a second address in Motueka was also being combed by forensic teams the following Monday.
His family said: “We appreciate every single one of you who have sent messages of love and support.”
“Rest in love our brother dogg ... and thank you for all you ever done for them and us,” she said.