Twelve people have been charged with the murder of a Rotorua man last month — seven of them from a small Bay of Plenty town.
Zain Taikato-Fox, 20, was found critically injured on the side of State Highway 33 by four men shortly after 7pm on Saturday, July 26.
He died from his injuries in Rotorua Hospital two days later.
Armed police carried out a search warrant in Maketū this morning, alongside others in Rotorua and Whanganui.
Detective Inspector Craig Rawlinson said it was a “big day” for the town.
“Most of those arrested are from Maketū, and these arrests will have a significant positive impact on the township.”
He said it was great to have progressed the investigation to this point.
“Our thoughts are with Zain’s family, and we hope this will help reassure the greater Bay of Plenty community.”
The search warrant followed other searches completed in Maketū three weeks ago as part of the same operation.
Police iwi liaison officers would remain in Maketū to ensure those affected by the arrests were supported.
The arrests included four Rotorua men, aged 23, 25, 29, and 54, seven Maketū men, aged 37, 38, two aged 22, two aged 40, and 63, as well as a male youth arrested in Whanganui.
The 12 people were all expected to appear in the Tauranga Youth Court later today.
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