Neho faces additional charges over the two earlier fires.<\/p>\n
The Crown\u2019s case is that Neho and Kamaru lit the fires to get their gang patches, under the direction of Barber, already a patched Mangu Kaha member.<\/p>\n
Almost two years later, records of intercepted phone calls and the contents of a selection of text messages exchanged between the trio and their associates were presented in court by Crown prosecutor Anselm Williams and Detective Sergeant Chris McManus.<\/p>\n
The texts were retrieved from phones police seized as part of their investigation into Moller\u2019s death. <\/p>\n
The texts include swearing, slang, and frequent references to \u201cmangu\u201d and \u201cbrother\u201d \u2013 how Mangu Kaha members addressed each other \u2013 and allegedly show there were attempts to light a number of other fires in the weeks before the fatal blaze. <\/p>\n
That included one in the early hours of October 19, 2024. The Crown claimed the texts suggested that didn\u2019t go ahead because police were in the area that night. <\/p>\n
\u201cYo this is the last day to get done my brother was meant to go down last night,\u201d Barber texted Neho shortly before 8am on October 19. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe did go till we got spot by the cop and I just made it home lastnight,\u201d Neho responded. <\/p>\n
The flats at Hanson Grove, Stokes Valley, where Ian Moller, 82, lived. He died after a fire at the property in November 2024. Photo \/ NZ Police<\/p>\n
Barber responds: \u201cF*** it was hot as last night.\u201d <\/p>\n
Three days later, on October 22, Barber again texted Neho in the early afternoon. <\/p>\n
\u201cReady for the mess or what,\u201d which the Crown claimed was a reference to lighting a fire. <\/p>\n
At the same time, records show Barber was also texting a fourth defendant, Shyheim Aiga. <\/p>\n
Aiga has already pleaded guilty to his involvement in the first two fires, but claimed he couldn\u2019t take part in any more because he had heart trouble.<\/p>\n
He texted Barber on October 19, saying he was at home resting.<\/p>\n
\u201cYoza can you rest all day mangu and smash that mission tonight f*** I just wanna get it done and patch use up tomorrow,\u201d Barber responded, adding, \u201cI\u2019ll sort Arden and reardon.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDahm as much as I want to my brother I can\u2019t do the mission tonight mangu due to my situation with my heart faark if I wasn\u2019t in so much pain my I woulda been able to do it tonight my myself,\u201d Aiga texted back. <\/p>\n
\u201cYo my brother yo rest up my brother thank you for being honest,\u201d Barber messaged. <\/p>\n
Three days later, Barber texted Aiga asking, \u201cReady for the mess or what\u201d. <\/p>\n
When Aiga said he would need a couple more days because he didn\u2019t want his health to get worse, Barber sent another text. <\/p>\n
\u201cYo you might miss out on your korowai tbh my brother I\u2019m going to get the bro do it tonight.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the day of the fatal fire, Neho texted Kamaru at 12.38am: \u201cYo my bro Ill let u now when on the way\u201d. <\/p>\n
Seven minutes later, Kamaru responded: \u201cZah my bro\u201d. <\/p>\n
At 1.22am, Neho texted back: \u201cI let u know when we outside\u201d.<\/p>\n
Two hours after the fire, which started about 3am, Kamaru texted a family member: \u201cAunty, I\u2019m out on ur deck no I\u2019m not in trouble\u201d. <\/p>\n
Five minutes later he sent a second text: \u201cI\u2019m leaving soon just needd [sic] a safe spot to think\u201d. <\/p>\n
Five days later, on November 10, on the day of Moller\u2019s death, Kamaru confirmed he was part of the gang, texting an associate: \u201cI\u2019m officially patched my gang\u201d. <\/p>\n
The trial before Justice David Boldt is now in its second week and is expected to take up to five weeks. <\/p>\n
Catherine Hutton is an Open Justice reporter, based in Wellington. She has worked as a journalist at the Waikato Times and RNZ. Most recently she was working as a media adviser at the Ministry of Justice. <\/p>\n