The man in his 20s who died of life-threatening injuries in hospital after a “gang-related disorder” in Whakatāne has been named by police.
Tuterangi Moeke, 27, of Whakatāne, was admitted to the hospital at 9.40pm on Sunday evening and died shortly after.
A police spokesperson said "initial indications suggest there was gang-related disorder" before he died.
A homicide investigation is currently underway.
“Police are continuing to piece together what happened leading up to Tuterangi’s death while maintaining an increased presence in the Eastern Bay of Plenty area,” a spokesperson said.
“We understand the recent events have caused a feeling of angst in what is a tight-knit community, and Police want to reassure residents we are working hard to hold anyone responsible to account.
“Police will be conducting high-visibility reassurance patrols across the region in coming days.”
Yesterday police said it had “obtained a Gang Conflict Warrant under the Search and Surveillance Act and will not be tolerating any retaliatory gang behaviour".
"Police will be maintaining a highly visible presence in the area, with extra staff arriving from other districts to support the investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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