Attributable to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Rawlinson:
Two men are in court this week charged with assault in relation to the ongoing investigation of the death of a 22-year-old man in the Bay of Plenty.
Freedom Taikato died on Matakana Island on New Year's Day.
A 23-year-old and a 59-year-old man have been arrested and are reappearing in Tauranga District Court on Thursday (January 17), separately charged with common assault.
The investigation into Mr Taikato's death is continuing, based in Tauranga and periodically on Matakana Island.
Police is unable to comment further at this stage given the matter is before the courts.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre