BOP Police make arrest in 32 year old murder case

Bay of Plenty Police have arrested and charged a 70 year old Rotorua man with murder in relation to a 32 year old Turangi homicide.

The man was arrested in Rotorua on Friday afternoon (2 December). He is due to appear in the Rotorua District Court this morning. He currently has interim name suppression.

The original incident occurred shortly after 1am on Thursday 16 August, 1979, when 32 year old Rodney Tahu was shot in the head and shoulder on the forecourt of the Turangi Service Station. He was taken by ambulance to Te Awamutu Hospital, but he died shortly afterwards.

The Bay of Plenty Police Field Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Mark Loper, says the case has been reviewed periodically over the past 32 years, with the file coming to his desk earlier this year.

"Mr Tahu left behind a wife and two children who have had to grow up without a father. For the past 32 years they have had to grapple with the unresolved circumstances of his death and it's as important for them as it is for us to be able to make this arrest and put the case before the courts.

"We will always do our very best for victims of crime, regardless of the age of the case."

Detective Inspector Loper says Mr Tahu's family have expressed their thanks and relief at the latest developments, but have asked media to respect their privacy at this time.

Detective Inspector Loper says an unsolved murder case is never closed.

"Files like this always remain open waiting for new information or a situation to change, and we regularly review "cold cases" in a renewed effort to try and solve them.

"Obviously there is still a great deal of work to be done on this one, as there is with any case going before the court. But it is very satisfying to have reached this milestone today, and I'd like to thank everyone who has worked on this case over the past 32 years for their efforts."

Detective Inspector Loper encourages anyone with information about any historic homicide to come forward to Police.

"Relationships and allegiances change over time, and sometimes people just want to get things off their chest. If you have any information about any homicide, especially information not previously disclosed to Police, please come forward with what you know."

Detective Inspector Loper says information can also be provided anonymously via the independent Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.