Two men accused of killing Te Kuiti man, Anthony Bell, in Ōtorohanga on Saturday night have appeared in the Hamilton District Court.
Hamilton District Court Photo: RNZ
The men, aged 30 and 38, are jointly charged with murder.
One of the men is from Hamilton, the other from a town on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Both were granted interim name suppression after the court heard a relative of the men had had threats made against her.
The 30-year-old also faces a charge of assaulting a man using a hammer as a weapon.
Bell, a father of six, died after being attacked on the Mobil service station forecourt on Maniapoto Street in the King Country town on Saturday evening.
The accused have been remanded in custody to appear in the High Court in Hamilton later this month.
In announcing the arrests yesterday, Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said in a statement that police hoped the arrests would provide Bell's family with some comfort.
Police still want to hear from anyone who might have any footage of the fight.
They would also like to hear from anyone with dash cam footage who was travelling between Te Awamutu and Ōtorohanga between 5pm and 6.20pm on Saturday.
Anyone who can assist with information is asked to call 105 and quote file number 211002/2797. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.