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A man police believe murdered his wife when a domestic row ended in violence on Christmas Day has been arrested in Thames.
Police were tipped off by a member of the public and found the 43 year old man near the Toyota RAV4 he fled in from the family home in Otara on Christmas night.
Police said he was charged with the murder of Atonauga Seau, 42, and was due to appear in the Manukau District Court today.
Yesterday police confirmed they were hunting for the man after the death of his wife.
They said no one else was involved in the death after Mrs Seau was found dead in her bed early on Boxing Day by one of her teenage sons. She had multiple stab wounds.
However, police warned anyone who had harboured the man in his flight from police risked being charged although there was also a chance people would not be aware Mrs Seau was dead.
Today Detective Senior Sergeant Richard Middleton said the arrested man was by himself in Thames and police had yet to find the person seen with the man in Otara.
"It may well be that person wasn't aware of what was going on."
He said police were grateful a member of the public had rung them as a result of the publicity and tipped them off about the RAV4 the man was driving.
"It's brilliant down at Thames. They're onto it down there," Mr Middleton said.
The family was told soon after the arrest and was very relieved but they faced a particularly tough time, he said.
"They have lost a mother and a father and it is a real tough time for them." he said.
- NZPA
