Rotorua homicide: Two more face accessory charges over death of Nicholas Mitchell
April 17, 2026
Nicholas Mitchell, 37, died after crashing into a tree on Ford Rd on December 12.
The investigation into the December 2025 death of Nicholas Mitchell in Rotorua has expanded with two more people facing charges. Holly Iranui Tekani, 50, and Apimaera James Frost, 52, both from Rotorua, appeared in the High Court at Rotorua and pleaded not guilty to being accessories after the fact to murder. They are the second and third individuals to be accused of assisting the alleged murderer, joining Lauren Renae Brydon, 35, who was charged earlier with the same offense.
The case began on the evening of December 12, 2025, when 37-year-old Nicholas Mitchell was found deceased in a vehicle that had crashed into a tree on Ford Road. Police quickly determined that his injuries were not consistent with the crash and launched a homicide investigation. This led to a significant police presence in the Fordlands area, with authorities asking residents to search their properties for any discarded items, such as clothing or weapons, that could be connected to the case. Police also appealed for sightings of a white Toyota Hiace van in the area around the time of Mitchell's death.
A week after Mitchell's death, police arrested 28-year-old Rawiri Te Kani and charged him with murder. Te Kani, whose name suppression lapsed in February 2026, has pleaded not guilty. His trial has been scheduled for February 2028, with a reserve trial date set for October 2027. Following his arrest, the focus of the investigation appeared to broaden to include individuals who may have assisted him.
The latest charges allege that both Tekani and Frost took actions to help Rawiri Te Kani avoid arrest. Holly Tekani is accused of hiding him from police on December 14 and also faces a separate charge of assaulting a police officer on March 20. Apimaera Frost is charged with receiving Te Kani on December 17 to help him evade capture. The first person charged as an accessory, Lauren Brydon, is alleged to have transported and hidden Te Kani between December 12 and December 18.
All three individuals charged as accessories have been granted bail and are scheduled for a case review hearing on June 19. Their trial is set for November of the following year. The series of arrests highlights the ongoing and complex nature of the police investigation, signaling a commitment to not only prosecute the alleged principal offender but also anyone believed to have aided in the aftermath of the homicide. The community now awaits the progression of these cases through the court system over the next two years.
Source: nzherald