A third man has been charged with the murder after the death of South Canterbury man Anaru Moana in 2021.
The 25-year-old was arrested at an address in Waimate yesterday.
He is the third person to be charged with murder following Moana's disappearance after two men were arrested in 2022. Both pleaded not guilty to charges the same year.
Moana, 37, was reported missing on December 23, 2021, sparking an "extensive" investigation that saw detailed searches of waterways in the Waitaki and Waimate areas.
A burnt-out car linked to the suspected murder was found near one of the waterways in 2021.
Moana's body is yet to be found.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh said it was "pleasing to put people before the courts".
He made a plea to the community to provide any information they could about Moana's disappearance and death.
"Our investigation is ongoing, and we know there are people in our community that know what happened to Anaru.
"We are asking those people — please, it's time to come forward.
"Help us provide his whānau with some closure," he said.
"Anyone who has information to share can do so through Police's 105 service and quote file number 211223/0992."
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