Police name Kawerau murder victim, charge third person with murder

Police have named the Kawerau man who was found murdered on a doorstep in February.

Michael Tokona, 52, was remembered by his sister Deb in a public post on Facebook at the time.

"Fly high Mikey, you will always be cherished and loved. No more suffering my darling brother. I miss you so much already.xxxx," she wrote.

Police arrested a third person today and charged them with murder.

A 15-year-old was scheduled to appear in the Whakatāne Youth Court this afternoon.

He was the second person in the investigation to be charged with murder.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson, said a 21-year-old male was also before the courts for murder.

"We are pleased to have been able to progress this matter and hold people to account," Wilson said.

The trio are expected to reappear in the High Court at Tauranga on 30 April.

Tokona was also remembered for his volunteer work with Whakatāne Riding For the Disabled on the post.