By Ric Stevens, Open Justice reporter of 
A man charged with murder will appear in a Northland court next month after the discovery of a body, believed to be that of missing woman Gaelene Bright.
Gaelene Bright Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
The accused man, whose name is suppressed, was dealt with in chambers at the Hastings District Court on Wednesday.
He faces two charges: murder involving a firearm and the unlawful possession of a firearm or restricted weapon.
He was remanded in custody by consent to appear in the High Court at Whangārei on 9 June.
On Tuesday, police said they had found a body in the Waipoua Forest, near State Highway 12 on the west coast of Northland, after a five-day search.
It was believed to be the body of Gaelene Bright, but police said formal identification had not been made.
The last trace of Bright, 69, was early on 1 May when she left a friend's house in Waimamaku, a small rural village in south Hokianga.
Police are asking for information about the movements of Bright's white 2000 Holden Rodeo 4x4, registration YW7634, between Northland and Te Kuiti on May 3 and 4.
Police ask anyone with information to call them on 105 quoting file number 220511/2799 or Operation Bright. Information can also be passed on anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
* This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.
