The woman charged with the murder of a 17-year-old in the Auckland suburb of Māngere has been granted interim name suppression.
Police conducted a scene examination at Buckland Road, Māngere, where a teenager was found dead. Photo: RNZ
The 28-year-old appeared before Judge Tony Couch in the Manukau District Court this morning.
She is accused of murdering Demetrius Pairama whose body was found at an empty house on Buckland Road in Māngere on 8 July.
Her lawyer, Matthew Goodwin, argued for name suppression on the grounds of safety for his client and others.
After robust discussion Judge Couch granted interim suppression and remanded the woman in custody.
As the accused left the dock, a woman in the public gallery shouted "Take responsibility for what you've done".
Police said a post mortem examination indicated Ms Pairama died the day before her body was found.
They said she was a vulnerable female.
Their investigation was continuing and they could not rule out further arrests in relation to Ms Pairama's death, police said.
A Housing New Zealand spokesperson said the house where the teenager's body was found was one of its properties, and that the long-term tenants moved out on 28 June.
A former tenant of the property, who had lived there for the past 10 years, said she and her mother moved to a new house five days before the body was found.
Since they left, her neighbours had seen people going inside, the former tenant said.
The woman charged with Ms Pairama's murder will next appear in the High Court on 8 August.
