Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles
Kaitāia is reeling from the violent death of a man described as "an absolute legend" in business circles and as a generous, "relentlessly optimistic" advocate for his hometown by his friends.
Monty Knight, who turned 80 earlier this year, died at his home just outside Kaitāia on Sunday afternoon.
Police said they found him critically injured after responding to reports of an assault, and arrested a 57-year-old woman a short time later.
She had since been charged with murder.
Among those shocked by his death is Colin Kitchen, a Kaitāia community stalwart, former fire chief and newly elected regional councillor.
Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Kitchen said he had known Knight for more than 60 years.
"He was a go-to person, a real people's person.
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