Waikanae homicide: Police make six arrests and appeal for information

The Team from Wellington District Police

Police investigating the death of a man in Waikanae are asking the public for information and vehicle sightings.

Police have now charged five gang associates with murder, and one with being an accessory, in the ongoing homicide investigation in Waikanae.

Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, Field Crime Manager, says Police are resolute in holding all those who were responsible for the death of Michael Tofts to account.

Mr Tofts died at an address in Kakariki Grove, Waikanae on Wednesday 19 November.

“We believe Mr Tofts was the subject of a targeted home invasion which led to his death.”

Several attackers were injured in the home invasion and Police can confirm a firearm was used during the altercation.
Police have not yet recovered the firearm.

As Police continue enquiries, they urge anyone with knowledge of what happened to contact us.

“We believe there are people who knew this was going to happen and assisted those who carried it out,” Detective Inspector Woods says.

Police also want to hear from anyone who saw or has dashcam or footage of the vehicles pictured between 1 and 7pm on Wednesday 19 November.

All vehicles are believed to have been in and around Paraparaumu and Waikanae around the time of the homicide and travelled to Kāpiti from different locations in the Wellington Region including the Hutt Valley.

“We also believe that after the alleged murder, the white Suzuki Swift travelled over Akatarawa Road towards Upper Hutt and the silver BMW travelled towards Paraparaumu and may have disposed of items,” says Detective Inspector Woods.

The occupants of the vehicles are believed to be involved either directly or indirectly in the home invasion and the lead-up to it.

All information can be given by contacting Police via 105 by phone or online, quoting file number 251119/8049.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

More messages from your neighbours

17 hours ago

Driven On The Akatarawa Rd Lately?

Marie from Waikanae

If so, its good to know you are still alive and reading this.

We have a function to go to over Christmas up that way and having heard a few hairy stories about the road, I went up there on Thursday to check it out. The road's ok, narrow and winding, but not much worse than a Wellington hill suburb. What was pretty scary was the behavior of other drivers. Three vehicles heading the other way at speed would have crashed into me if I hadn't been pulled off the road. I had pulled in to check the address when a truck came flying past, taking up all of the narrow road at speed. There is no way the driver would have been able to stop had they come around the corner immediately in front of me. The other two drivers came hurtling past as I had turned in to turn around and come back down the hill. They were also driving at speed and taking up most of the road. Coming back down I passed another car coming up and estimate that the safe speed to pass another car was about 30-35 kms.p.h. So, now we're thinking, do we go to the function or not.? Feels a bit like we're taking our life in our hands going up there. Drivers appear to be overconfident, and they are courting serious injury.