Pair plead not guilty to murder Taupo toddler

Three-year-old boy Moko Sayviah Rangitoheriri died before he was able to be transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland. Photo / Supplied via police

A judge gave warning that he would clear the court as he heard pleas over the murder of a three-year-old boy.

David William Haerewa, 43, and a 26-year-old woman pleaded not guilty to murdering three-year-old Moko Sayviah Rangitoheriri.

The boy was admitted to Taupo Hospital with critical injuries last month and died before doctors were able to transfer him to Starship Hospital in Auckland.

The boy's family were in the court's public gallery and before the defendants were called, Justice Timothy Brewer issued a warning.

"Firstly I am a father and a grandfather and can only guess how the whanau is feeling at the moment. But I'm also a judge and have to keep order in court. If anyone in here who thinks they can't control their emotions when the defendants come to court, leave now," he said.

"If there is an outburst from the whanau I will clear the public gallery and nobody will see what happens. Any of you who think they can't control your emotions, now is the time to leave."

Justice Brewer lifted the name suppression of Haerewa but the interim name suppression remains for his co-accused. A hearing will be held on October 22 to decide if her name suppression will continue.

Both defendants were remanded into custody until a case review hearing on December 2.

A trial date has been set for May 9, 2016.