New Zealand / Crime

Man arrested over 'premediated and cowardly' murder in 2018

16:52 pm on 17 December 2021

A man has been charged with murdering Tauranga man David Kuka, almost four years after his death.

Police at the scene of the second death in Wilrose Place in Gate Pa. Photo: SunLive / Andrew Campbell

Kuka was fatally shot on 11 February, 2018 at an address in Wilrose Place, Tauranga.

At the time, police said the killing was a case of mistaken identity and Kuka was not believed to be the intended victim, describing the murder as "premediated and cowardly".

Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

It was the second homicide at the same address within a month, Bay of Plenty Police detective inspector Lew Warner said in a statement.

A 34-year-old Raetihi man has been charged with Kuka's murder and will appear in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

Warner said police would not rule out further arrests.

Police would like to acknowledge the victim's extended family, Warner said.

Earlier, police descibed Kuka as a "family man" who looked out for his whanāu and friends.

"He was also a talented carver and craftsman and examples of his work are displayed in Tauranga."