Ariki Rigby. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Warning: This story discusses graphic details of violence.
Teenager Ariki Rigby was brutally murdered following an argument sparked by her wearing a gang member's t-shirt, it has been revealed.
Jimmy Heremaia, a 32-year-old orchard worker from Auckland, has pleaded guilty to the murder of 18-year-old Ariki Rigby.
Heremaia pleaded guilty at the High Court in Napier on Friday to the murder of the 18-year-old, whose body was found in a burnt out car in Havelock North in September 2022.
Ropine Paul, 29, a labourer from Havelock North, pleaded guilty to arson on 4 February.
The summary of facts, detailing the events leading to Rigby's death, can now be reported.
It said Heremaia - a patched Mongrel Mob member - and Rigby met three weeks before her death, forming a close connection and communicating regularly.
On 31 August, Rigby wore Heremaia's Mongrel Mob t-shirt out in public.
"She ... was confronted by another patched member of the Mongrel Mob who saw the act as a serious breach of the gang's rules," the summary said.
"Mr Heremaia was instructed by his seniors to retrieve the t-shirt from Ms Rigby, which he did later that day."
A few days later Heremaia learned his patch had been taken from his family home. The Crown said that was because Rigby had worn the t-shirt.
Heremaia picked up Rigby and took her to "an isolated location" where they argued before she swung a weapon at him.
"He blocked her, before overpowering her and taking the weapon from her," the summary said.
"He went on to use it to strike her several times including to the head."
Rigby died from those injuries.
Heremaia then placed her body in the car and drove to Paul's home, requesting his help to "get rid" of the body.
They drove to a remote car park by a river and used petrol to set fire to the car, with Rigby's body inside.
Heremaia and Paul will be sentenced at the High Court in Napier on 11 April.
Detective Inspector David De Lange of Eastern District Police said he acknowledged Ariki's whānau, "who have waited so long to see the person responsible held accountable for her tragic death".
"We also acknowledge those Police staff who worked meticulously over a long period of time to piece together the evidence that has brought about this result today".
At the time of Rigby's funeral, a family spokesperson said she was a beautiful, passionate person, who lived life at "full throttle".
Heremaia was arrested in September last year, and Paul was arrested the following month.
The arrests followed a plea from Rigby's family for people to come forward with information.
Rigby's death was initially treated as unexplained, before police launched a homicide investigation.
They reviewed their response after officers checking on the car failed to realise there was a body inside it for two days - initially thinking it was the body of an animal.
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