Red Fox Tavern murder accused remanded in custody

Chris Bush was murdered in 1987.

One of two men accused of the Red Fox Tavern cold case murder has appeared in court today.

The 58-year-old was granted interim name suppression by Judge Noel Sainsbury before being remanded in custody to appear for criminal callover in the High Court at Auckland on September 20.

He was charged with murder and aggravated robbery last Thursday.

A 57-year-old Tauranga man has also been charged with the murder and aggravated robbery of Maramarua publican Chris Bush on October 24, 1987.

He has also been granted interim name suppression and will appear in the High Court later this month.

Counties Manukau Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum said last week that the arrests came after members of the community came forward with invaluable information following a renewed focus on the unsolved murder.

Bush was shot dead 30 years ago at the tavern just before midnight.

He had been enjoying a drink with three other staff members after closing up the pub when two men burst in.

The two heavily disguised men, one carrying a double-barrelled shotgun and the other a baseball bat, stormed into the bar yelling, "this is a hold-up".

As Bush stood up, he was shot and killed. One of the men then ordered a female staff member to search Bush's pockets for the key to the safe.

The robbers fled with $25,000.

Lendrum said Bush's family had been through every family's worst nightmare and praised them for their courage, strength and bravery.

"We hope these arrests can offer them some degree of comfort and closure," he said.