A room in Auckland High Court was packed this morning as four men charged with murdering a Head Hunters gang member appeared.
Charles Pongi, 32, was fatally shot in Point England's Taurima Reserve on August 5. He died in Auckland Hospital after taking himself to hospital with gunshot wounds. A homicide investigation was launched.
Police said the event was an "appalling display of violence" where "more than 70 gang members from the Head Hunters, Rebel MCs, and associates converged... for an intended brawl".
A 26-year-old Ōtāhuhu man, a 20-year-old man from Avondale, a 24-year-old man from Favona, and a 24-year-old man from Mt Albert have been charged with murder since the incident.
Justice Matthew Downs welcomed those who were there on the behalf of Pongi and the defendants to court, and reminded everyone the hearing was to be conducted in silence. Those gathered were quiet.
Court restrictions mean images of the public gallery in a courtroom cannot be published.
Two security guards and a police officer stood in the room, while other guards sat in the dock with the defendants.
All four men entered not guilty pleas to each of the charges, all four were remanded in custody, and all four were given interim name suppression. Members of the group waved and gestured to people in the public gallery as they left.
"The police investigation remains ongoing and further arrests and serious charges are likely," Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said after the most recent arrest.
Other arrests over the shooting include a 28-year-old man who was arrested for breaching his electronically monitored bail in relation to the incident, and a 26-year-old Weymouth man on firearms charges.
Pongi's funeral also saw a number of arrests made and vehicles seized.
The trial is set for 2025.
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