Two men charged with murdering Mongrel Mob member Kevin Ratana in August entered no plea when they appeared in court this afternoon.
Mongrel Mob members from around the country, and even the Cook Islands, King Cobras and Rebels MC members were present at 27-year-old Kevin Ratana's tangi. Photo: RNZ/Robin Martin
Mr Ratana, 27, was shot outside his Whanganui home when he left to go to the gym.
A Naenae man, 31, appeared before Judge Arthur Tompkins in the Lower Hutt District Court.
A 38-year-old local appeared before Judge Dugald Matheson in the Whanganui District Court.
Both men were granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody to reappear at the High Court at Whanganui on 7 November.
A small group of supporters of Mr Ratana, some wearing red T-shirts commemorating his life, listened quietly during the short appearance of the older man in Whanganui.
Police said that Mr Ratana was shot when he left his Gonville home on 21 August and two further shots were fired into the house where four adults and two children were taking cover.
According to police the accused are both senior patched Black Power members.
Bail was opposed and the police anticipate making further arrests in the coming days.
Detective Senior Sergeant Philip Skoglund announced earlier today that two men had been charged over Mr Ratana's murder.
Detective Skoglund thanked the Whanganui community for their "courage and fortitude in standing against gang violence".
He said police continued to seek help from the public in relation to the movements of five men who walked to Mr Ratana's address on the morning of 21 August.
Police also wanted information regarding a blue Holden Commodore, registration number WU3395; and a white Hyundai Coupe, registration number JJF26, which was found burned out on Seafront Rd on the evening of 21 August.
Twelve people faced charges related to Mr Ratana's death in the Whanganui District Court last month, ranging from threatening to kill, unlawful possession of firearms to belonging to a criminal group.
These men were granted name suppression and were due to reappear in court on 30 November.
Mr Ratana's death sparked heightened gang tensions in Whanganui and extra police resources were called into the area, including the police Eagle helicopter.
Hundreds of Mongrel Mob members from around New Zealand, as well as patched King Kobras and Rebel MC gang members attended Mr Ratana's funeral at Parikino Marae on the Whanganui River Rd on 27 August.