Hiko Lynch

Torhan Teariki Repia, 36, was excused from attending the Blenheim District Court on Monday as he had been bailed to an Auckland address.

Lawyer Marcus Zintl, acting as agent for Kelly Hennesy, entered the not guilty pleas for Repia.

Repia was scheduled to appear in the Blenheim District Court for a case review hearing on September 13.

Police in Blenheim arrested eight people in the hours after Lynch’s death in relation to an altercation in the town centre.

The 34-year-old accused has been remanded in custody until September.

Kaniva News reports Lynch was in New Zealand as an RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) worker before he died in an alleged stabbing on Market St on 20 June in central Blenheim.

Police believe the fatality came after an altercation between the Tongan RSE workers and some Rebel gang members from outside the region.

Lynch had been out celebrating a friend’s birthday. Two other Tongan men were wounded and hospitalised at Blenheim’s Wairau Hospital.

Speaking at a vigil in Otara, Māteni Lynch said the news of his young brother’s (Hiko) death was too much to bear.

“It was so difficult for me when I am thinking about the reason of why we came here to New Zealand to work to help our family back in Tonga”, Mateni said tearfully according to a report by Kaniva News.

Māteni said they have seven siblings and Hiko was of a “special character”.

Hiko Junior Lynch, 23, was allegedly stabbed on Market St just after 3am on Sunday, 20 June.

A Givealittle page set up by Lynch’s employer Hortus has seen over 200 people pledge over $13,000 by this morning for his family.

According to the company, the funds will support Hiko's family in Tonga through this tragic and difficult time.

“All proceeds will go directly back to his family.”

The 23-year-old from Holonga, Tonga was killed in an alleged stabbing incident early Sunday morning.

Mateni Lynch was in Christchurch to see his younger brother Hiko’s body before he flew to Auckland.

The Lynch’s paternal and maternal families are preparing for the service at the Vea Funeral Home in Ōtara this weekend.

Hiko’s body is expected to arrive in Auckland tomorrow (Friday) from Christchurch.  

His body will be flown to Tonga next week for the funeral.

“The family is devastated by his death”, Hiko’s maternal uncle Uilou Fungavaka told Kaniva News yesterday (Wednesday).

They have been charged with a range of charges including murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault and disorderly behaviour.

The first of those charged will appear in the Blenheim District Court today, Police said in a statement.

The scenes are no longer cordoned off but Police will continue to have an active presence in the area as they continue their investigation into the incident.