6 Oct 2023

Pair found guilty after death of Wiremu Arapo in house fire in 2020

1:11 pm on 6 October 2023

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Two men have been found guilty after the death of a man in Cockle Bay in 2020.

Wiremu Arapo was found dead at a house on Minerva Terrace after a fire on 20 October 2020.

A jury has found Sean Hayde and Greg Hart guilty of murder and manslaughter respectively over the death at the High Court in Auckland, Counties Manukau CIB detective inspector Warrick Adkin said.

Both were found guilty of perverting the course of justice, Adkin said.

The pair will be sentenced in November.

"However, today I would like to acknowledge Wiremu's whānau for their courage throughout this process and the investigation team for their diligent work.

"This has been an emotional ordeal for Wiremu's whānau who have shown strength throughout the trial, and over these past three years, while they have waited to ensure justice prevailed for their boy's death."