Five Black Power gang members accused of stabbing a man to death late last year reappeared in the New Plymouth district court today.
Peri Niwa, 31, a scaffolder, was stabbed to death on November 16 in the New Plymouth suburb of Moturoa.
Judge Allan Roberts declined Adrian Fenton and Rangi Rick Brown release on 24-hour electronic bail, saying the risks to witnesses were too great.
Fenton was further charged with illegal possession of a sawn-off 12-gauge pump action shotgun and a knife.
All five were also charged with participating in a criminal group that was reckless in their criminal activity.
The five gang members return to court on March 10 for a hearing during which the Crown will argue for the court to give full anonymity to prosecution witnesses.
The murder accused are Black Power members, Rangi Rick Brown, 38, Matiu Joseph Pahau, 21, Adrian Fenton, 25, and Mahana Edmonds, 38, all of New Plymouth.
One man's name remains suppressed but is expected to be made public in a week.
