A teenager killed in a road crash on the Raetihi-Piperiki Road at the weekend has been named as 15-year-old Maylean Hira Henare from Raetihi.
Maylean was the passenger in a car which lost control around 10.55pm on Saturday night and crashed into an embankment. Another 15-year-old female passenger received serious injuries.
The 43-year-old male driver has been charged with refusing officers a request for blood, driving under the influence of drink causing injury and driving under the influence of drink causing death. He will next appear at Hamilton District Court on Wednesday, 19 August.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation and further charges have not been ruled out.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 06 351 2546 or 027 234 8256.