Teen arrested in Waihi attack

Developing News: An 18-year-old Waihi man will appear in court this morning charged with the murder of Murray Wilkinson who was stabbed in the early hours of New Years Day.

LATEST BREAKING NEWS: The 18 year old man is in court at the momment, Dribble NZ News will bring you updates on this.

The arrest took place at 4.30pm yesterday as police, including dog handlers, converged on Waihi.

Waikato district crime manager Detective Inspector Chris Page said the result was "a big relief" for Wilkinson's family who were told of the arrest last night.

"The family can now finally grieve following what has been a very tragic time," he said.

The arrested man will appear in the Hamilton District Court.

As part of the ongoing investigation, Page said he would like to hear from anyone who stayed on Citrus Ave, Waihi Beach on New Year's eve.

In particular they wish to hear from anyone who stayed at numbers 1 through to 40 Citrus Ave.

People with information could contact the Operation Brad enquiry team at the Waihi Beach and Waihi police stations or dial 0800 OP BRAD (0800 672723). Alternatively information could be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555-111.

The announcement of the arrest came one week to the day after the expat New Zealander was stabbed in an attack at Waihi Beach.

He died two days later in Waikato Hospital from his injuries.

Page said the arrest followed extensive enquiries by police from around the upper North Island in a "whole-of-policing approach" to the crime which left the Waihi Beach community in shock.

A flurry of information and photos of New Year celebrations in the area where Wilkinson was attacked also contributed to the breakthrough.

Page thanked the Waihi and Waihi Beach communities for their help and support saying "they were never going to tolerate an attack of this kind in their community."

Wilkinson and his wife had been staying in a caravan in front of a friend's house at Waihi Beach over New Year.

He had gone outside to investigate a disturbance about 1am when he was attacked and stabbed in the neck and head.

Following his death on January 3 Wilkinson's wife Luise, son Dan and daughter Cory Rance, gathered at Hamilton police station to deliver a statement.

They said they were "desperate" to understand why he was killed.

"It's impossible to express the complete devastation the family are now going through," Dan Wilkinson said.

Neighbours in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly, where Wilkinson had lived for about 10 years, were also shocked by the keen fisherman's death.

"He'd do anything for people," a neighbour said.

"I think most of the family were pretty close. He was a very peaceful man, I've never seen him angry."

* Police initially said the teen was aged 19, but later changed this to 18.