Police have charged a man with the murder of South Auckland woman Rowena Kopare.
The 35-year-old's decomposed body was found dumped in a lay-by near Morrinsville at the end of last month.
The 45-year-old man charged with Kopare's murder is the same man who appeared in court last week charged with threatening to kill her before Christmas.
Monday's arrest came on what would have been the victim's 36th birthday. Her mother Rewa Whitaker told reporters that family would be visiting her grave-site on Monday to be with her.
Meanwhile, police are eager to find items Kopare had on her the last time she was seen, including a tan skirt, a dark top, white jandals and a white handbag.
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