Murderer to serve at least 17 years in prison

Sean Hayde has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his former friend, east Auckland personal trainer Wiremu Arapo.

Arapo, 27, was found dead at his home in Minerva Terrace, Cockle Bay, after it caught fire on October 20, 2020.

Police eventually arrested and charged Hayde and Gregory Hart over Arapo’s death.

The pair went on trial at the Auckland High Court before a jury and Justice Geoffrey Venning on September 11 last year.

Hayde, who lived in Bucklands Beach, was found guilty of Arapo’s murder and perverting the course of justice.

He was also found guilty of assault and threatening to kill in relation to a domestic violence incident involving a former partner.

Hart was found guilty of manslaughter and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Forensic evidence showed Arapo died from multiple blunt force trauma injuries to his head and neck.

The severe injuries included fractures to his face and head, and the hyoid bone in his neck.

In November last year Hart, 35, was sentenced to serve 11 years and four months in prison for his role in Arapo’s death, with no minimum term.

Justice Geoffrey Venning today sentenced Hayde to life imprisonment for murder with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years.

Hayde also received a six-year prison sentence for perverting the course of justice and six months’ in prison for assaulting and threatening to kill his partner.

Those two additional sentences will run concurrently with the 17-year sentence so do not increase the length of time he will be imprisoned.

Counties Manukau Police detective inspector Warrick Adkin says Hayde’s sentencing brings court proceedings in the case to a close.

“I would like to acknowledge Wiremu’s whanau and loved ones today, in what has been a long journey to reach this point,” he says.

“They have shown great courage and strength since his life was needlessly cut short at the age of 27.

“I hope today’s verdict brings them some closure, but I acknowledge Wiremu’s absence is something they will carry with them in their lives.”

Adkin says investigators worked diligently to ensure those responsible for Arapo’s death were held to account.

“The Operation Bancroft team did an outstanding job and showed great professionalism to ensure we could achieve justice for Wiremu,” he says.

“Police would also like to acknowledge the Fire and Emergency NZ crews and investigators who responded to the initial house fire and assisted our investigation at the scene.”

Justice Venning’s sentencing notes from late last year stated Hayde and Hart were close friends.

In the first half of 2020 Hayde introduced Hart to Arapo, who was his boxing trainer, and in about July that year Hart moved into Arapo’s Minerva Terrace home.

Problems developed between the two flatmates at the same time Hayde began a sexual relationship with one of Arapo’s female friends.

“You were often late with your payments of rent and general expenses,” Justice Venning told Hart.

“Mr Arapo was an organised and motivated person. He was annoyed you did not keep your part of the house tidy and he was frustrated at your attitude and lack of motivation.”

The situation deteriorated and on October 15, 2020, Arapo gave Hart notice to move out.

Arapo’s friendship with Hayde had broken down due to Hayde’s relationship with Arapo’s female friend.

On October 17 Hayde told Hart he was about to turn on Arapo and was going to “kick his teeth out”.

Two days later Arapo messaged Hayde warning him about how he should treat Arapo’s female friend.

“This message seems to have been the tipping point,” Justice Venning said.

“Mr Hayde became aggravated to the stage the next day he convinced you to join him in a plan where the two of you would go to Mr Arapo’s property at Minerva Terrace and give him a beating.”

That plot resulted in the fatal assault that eventually saw Hayde convicted of Arapo’s murder and Hart convicted of his manslaughter.