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A 47-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the 2019 murder of Kathleen Kawana.
Detective Inspector Dave de Lange said Kawana disappeared from her Tītahi Bay home in June 2019.
Her body was found in an abandoned property in Ruatoria five weeks later. She was 46.
De Lange said Kawana's family has long hoped for answers in relation to her death.
"The investigation team has worked hard to get to this point," he said.
"Holding to account the person responsible for her murder has been our focus, and we hope this brings some relief to Kathleen's family."
The Flaxmere man was arrested on Monday and due to appear in Hastings District Court on Tuesday.