MURDERED: Phillip Cottrell, the Radio NZ journalist who died after being beaten in Wellington's Boulcott St.

A teenager charged with the murder of Wellington Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell has been given bail.

In an unusual move, Wellington District Court judge Stephen Harrop granted 17-year-old Manuel Penera Robinson, of Avalon, bail on strict conditions which are suppressed.

Those accused of murder are rarely given bail however the Bail Act has a special section for youth offenders under 20 requiring they be released unless a judge is satisfied no other course is desirable.

Police opposed his release on bail.

Judge Harrop suppressed the bail hearing but announced the result in open court.

He also declined to continue name suppression for Robinson. Any images of Robinson are still suppressed.

Robinson is now remanded on bail until next year.

Cottrell was attacked after leaving work on December 10 in Boulcott St and found by a taxi driver. He died the next day in hospital.

A second man, Nicho Waipuka, 19, is also charged with the murder.