A teenager will stand trial in four months for the shooting murder of a 50-year-old woman at a home in Okoki, North Taranaki.

After a short hearing in the High Court at New Plymouth yesterday, Justice Denis Clifford said the two-week trial would begin on November 19.

The 13-year-old boy was charged with the murder of the woman on April 15.

Yesterday, Crown prosecutor Justin Marinovich and defence lawyer Patrick Mooney both asked that interim suppression be continued until the boy's next appearance, which would be on August 15.

Justice Clifford ordered the continued interim suppression of the boy's name, that of his victim as well as the facts relating to the case.

The boy would formally plead to the charges at the August hearing, the judge said.

Justice Clifford further remanded the boy in the custody of Child, Youth and Family under existing arrangements.

Five family members of the dead woman sat quietly in the front row of the public gallery while four of the boy's family were seated in the back row.

Three CYF workers were also in court, two of whom sat either side of the boy who sat impassively throughout his appearance in court.

The boy has not been allowed bail because there was no suitable home for him to go to.

He remains in a secure youth justice facility in Rotorua.

- © Fairfax NZ News