Police secure the scene of a homicide on Tripoli Road, Panmure last month. Photo / Michael Craig
A man has been charged with murder over the stabbing of another man in Auckland.
The defendant can now be identified as 48-year-old Manurewa East resident Bradford Damian Kipa.
Auckland police Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Anderson said the defendant was initially charged with common assault after police were called to an incident on Tripoli Rd, Panmure, on August 23.
John Tofu Ioane, 52, from Favona, was found dead at the scene.
The accused appeared in the Auckland District Court today via video monitor to face the upgraded charge of murder as well as a separate assault charge, which allegedly relates to another individual in this matter. During the hearing before Judge Peter Winter, his name suppression lapsed.
He was remanded back to custody without plea, but he is expected to return to court next month to enter one.
Dozens of people on social media have paid tribute to Ioane.
"His heart was for his children," one person wrote.
"From the outside looking in, we saw a man who loved his family and would do anything and everything for them," said another.
He takes over from Andrew Coster who stepped down last week to head new social agency.