House fire murder accused bailed
Bail has been granted to a man accused of murdering his partner in a house fire near Ruatoria in October last year.
A man charged with murdering his partner in a house fire north of Ruatoria last year has been released on bail after appearing in court.
Lawrence Huihui Wawatai, 55, was granted bail after a hearing in the Gisborne District Court on Wednesday.
He is charged with the murder of Mary-Ann August-Akuhata, 48, who died from injuries suffered in the fire in the settlement of Tikitiki on October 10 last year.
The Gisborne Herald reports Wawatai, who has yet to enter a plea, was bailed to a Bay of Plenty address with a 24-hour curfew.
He had been in custody since his last appearance in court on Friday. Wawatai was remanded for a pre-committal appearance in March.