Two women accused of killing 8-year-old Te Teko boy Rickah’Shae Keefe-Haerewa have pleaded not guilty to all charges at the Rotorua High Court on Monday.
26-year-old Maya Hati appeared via audio-visual link and, through her lawyer, Catilin Gentleman, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and assault.
She did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody.
61-year-old Pauline Timu appeared in person and, through her lawyer Tony Rickard-Simms, pleaded not guilty to a charge of manslaughter and two charges of assaulting a child.
Rickard-Simms applied for bail on Timu's behalf but was opposed by the Crown.
Justice Kiri Tahana reserved her decision on Timu's bail application.
A four-week High Court jury trial has been scheduled for April 2027.