Name suppression lapses for man charged with Tokoroa murder

Friday, 27 June 2025

Jaziah Johnson, pictured, at his audiovisual appearance at the High Court in Rotorua on Friday.

The man charged with the murder of Tokoroa man Rapana Tukuru Tahana-Heretini can now be named as Jaziah Johnson.

Name suppression lapsed for Johnson, 21, on Friday when he appeared, via audiovisual link, at the High Court in Rotorua.

His lawyer Andy Hill entered a not guilty plea to the one charge he faces, and Justice Kiri Tahana said a two-week trial would start on February 14, 2028.

Rapana (Raaps) Tukuru Tahana-Heretini was critically injured after an alleged assault outside his Tokoroa home in May.

However, she also said a “back up date” of October 26, 2027, might become available for trial.

That prompted a cry of “yes” from the public gallery.

Tahana-Heretini was critically injured in the early hours of Tuesday, May 27, after an alleged assault outside his home on Abercorn Place.

Police were called to the scene about 4.15am and he was taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.

He later died from his injuries.