Hawea Vercoe died from brain injury: autopsy

PRINCIPAL: Hawea Vercoe died outside a Whakatane bar.

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School principal and Environment Bay of Plenty regional councillor Hawea Vercoe died from a brain injury, according to autopsy results.

Isaiah Tai, 21, of Opotiki, appeared in Whakatane District Court yesterday charged with murdering Mr Vercoe as he left the town's Quart House Bar in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen said until full autopsy results were available, police were unable to determine whether he was fatally injured by the punch, or when he fell to the ground.

Police wanted to "firmly dismiss" rumours in Whakatane and the wider Bay of Plenty that gang connections were associated with Mr Vercoe's death.

"Any such reports are completely untrue and we want to reassure members of the public that there are no gang connections to this homicide," Mr Standen said.

"Potential gang links were disregarded by the investigation team early in the inquiry.

"Unfortunately, this is a tragic case of a simple night out for two individuals which has gone terribly wrong."

Tai was remanded in custody to reappear in Whakatane District Court on December 9.

- NZPA