27 Sep 2023

Te Atatū homicide: Man pleads not guilty to murdering Nazia Hai

11:04 am on 27 September 2023
An armed police officer stands guard outside a house in Te Atatū Peninsula on 11 September, 2023.

File photo: A police guard outside the house in Te Atatū. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn

A man charged with murder over a woman's death in West Auckland has pleaded not guilty in the High Court in Auckland.

Nazia Hai, who was 27, following an attack in the suburb of Te Atatū.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Graham Avenue around 7.15am on 11 September.

Hai was taken to hospital in a critical condition and later died of her injuries.

The accused, who can now be named as Jaykob Tutai, appeared in the High Court before Justice Sally Fitzgerald to enter his plea.

This was his second court appearance, but first in the High Court.

A number of the victim's family were present in court, yelling at Tutai from the public gallery as he was remanded in custody, calling him names like "dog".

He was remanded until a trial next year.