Tauranga shooting victim farewelled by Head Hunters

Dozens of Head Hunter gang members gathered at the funeral today of one of the two victims who were shot dead at a property in rural Omanawa on Tuesday last week.

They were there to pay their respects to their friend, a 32-year-old associate of the motorcycle gang, while a number of police cars watched from a respectful distance.

Members of the Filthy Few motorcycle club, which have chapters in Tauranga and Rotorua, were also present.

Several vehicles revved their engines and spun their wheels, covering the road in smoke, on leaving the service. The funeral of the other shooting victim, a 43-year-old man, will be held in Tauranga tomorrow.

The identities of the two deceased were suppressed when a 25-year-old man appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Saturday and charged with their murders.

A van doing burnouts at the funeral. Photo / Alan Gibson

He was also given name suppression until his next court appearance, although the police have named the other suspect in the double homicide as Anthony John Fane.

The 33-year-old Fane, who was shot dead after firing at police in a pursuit on Thursday night, was the partner of Jessielee Booth who was found dead in her Brookfield home on Friday.

Neighbours described Black Power members as regular visitors to their home.

In a bid to downplay tensions in the city, the police said the four deaths appear to be "unrelated to gang conflict although police are aware the incidents have involved gang members".

Head Hunter gang members gather at the funeral. Photo / Alan Gibson

Dozens of Head Hunter gang members at the funeral of a 32-year-old associate of the gang. Photo / Alan Gibson