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Police investigating the death of Tristan Oakes, also known as Eru, have arrested a third man and charged him with murder following a series of search warrants executed in the Te Puke area this morning, November 12.
Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown said a 24-year-old Te Puke man was taken into custody and charged with murder in connection with the 25 October 2025 shooting.
“This brings the total number of people charged with murder to three,” she said.
Police have also charged three further men, aged 29, 30 and 33, all from Te Puke, with burglary.
All six men are scheduled to appear in the Tauranga District Court this afternoon, Wednesday 12 November 2025.
“Police would like to thank the community for their assistance and will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses,” Flowerdew-Brown said.
Police told the Franklin Times that “a number of search warrants” were executed in Te Puke earlier today as part of the ongoing investigation but said they were unable to comment further, while the matter is before the court.
A family member told the Franklin Times there were “heaps of raids this morning.”
Tristan Oakes’ mother said her son’s spirit continues to guide the family as they seek justice.
“My boy may not be here, but make no mistake, he’s still doing the mahi. He’s showing us who’s accountable, guiding the truth to light piece by piece. You can silence a voice, but never a spirit this strong.”
She said Eru was “a twin to Wharehuia, the first of my two sets of twins and the younger brother to his oldest brother who was always side by side with Eru to the very end.”
“He was also a proud papa to two beautiful babies, a handsome son and a beautiful daughter. He had his whole world right in front of him, so much love to give, and so much life ahead.
“As a family, we’re still trying to navigate this pain and make sense of a world without him. But through every tear, we keep his name alive.”
Oakes, 29, died in hospital after being critically injured when he was shot at his Te Puke home on Saturday 25 October 2025.
Two men, Kanan Clarke (39) and Joseph Yorke (40), were earlier arrested and charged with murder in connection with his death.
