31 Aug 2017

Red Fox Tavern cold case pair charged

12:48 pm on 31 August 2017

Two men have been charged with the murder 30 years ago of Waikato man Chris Bush.

Chris Bush

Chris Bush was killed at the Red Fox Tavern in Maramarua in 1987. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Mr Bush was shot dead while drinking with staff at the Red Fox Tavern in Maramarua just before midnight on 24 October 1987.

Police reopened their investigation last month and said they were looking at information and re-examining the forensic evidence.

A 57-year-old man was arrested in Tauranga yesterday and a 58-year-old man in Auckland today.

Both have been charged with murder and aggravated robbery.

Detective Inspector Gary Lendrum from Counties Manukau Police said members of the community had came forward with invaluable information.

Mr Lendrum thanked the media Police Ten 7 programme, which had featured the case, and members of the public.

He said relatives had been been through "every family's worst nightmare".

"Throughout this time they have shown courage, strength and bravery. We hope these arrests can offer them some degree of comfort and closure."

A screenshot of Chris Bush as seen in Police Ten 7.

A screenshot of Chris Bush as seen in Police Ten 7. Photo: Screenshot / TVNZ archive footage