Two men charged with the murder of Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell have been remanded in custody.

Nicho Waipuka, 19, unemployed of Korokoro have been charged with the death after Cottrell died in hospital a day after he was attacked in Boulcott St. He had been walking home from work about 5.30am on Saturday.

A 17-year-old man whose name is now suppressed is due back in court at the end of the week. An assault charge which had previously been laid has now been withdrawn and the charge of murder substituted.

LAURA WESTBROOK MEMORIAL: Radio New Zealand staff conduct a memorial to Wellington journalist Phillip Cottrell at the site of his attack.

The pair were arrested this morning.

This afternoon, Wellington District Court judge Carrie Wainwright remanded them and refused applications to take photographs of the two men in court and suppressed any images already available.

Waipuka's lawyer Rob Stevens said identity was an issue in both cases.

The 17-year-old's lawyer Mike Antunovic asked for the suppression to allow family to be told.

Family of the teenager called out that they loved him and to be safe as he was led from the court.

Cottrell's family were understood not to have been at court.

The news of the arrests came as colleagues and friends of the 43-year-old gathered for an impromptu memorial service at the site of his attack.



Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller said the men were charged at the Wellington central police station this morning.



"These arrests follow an extensive amount of inquiries carried out by the investigation team over the past few days, however there is still a large number of inquiries to be made and we continue to need help from the public," he said.

Miller said he hoped the charges brought some kind of resolution to Cottrell's family.



However, he added the inquiry was by no means over and police were still carrying out extensive area inquiries.



He said police were relying on information from the public - not just from Boulcott St, but anyone who may have spoken to the alleged offenders.

POLICE RAID

Today's arrests followed a raid at an Avalon home yesterday afternoon.

A woman said she and other residents watched Armed Offenders Squad members lead several people out of the house at gunpoint.

"It was scary - suddenly I heard this noise and I heard the [police] dog barking.

"I came out to have a look and I saw the guys with the uniforms and guns."

The resident, in their 60s, who did not want to be named, said about 15 police staff were present at the time.

"I heard them yelling, asking them to come out. They took them out one by one and made them lie on the road."

None of the residents were at the house today, and police were sifting through rubbish bags and boxes at the property.

CCTV ANALYSED

Police are still urging those in the area at the time of the murder to come forward.



"We have identified a courier driver who was in Boulcott Street about this time, but we are yet to identify a Wellington Combined taxi driver, other motorists and a male and female couple captured on CCTV footage between 5.20am and 5.45am on Saturday 10 December," Miller said.



He said while people may have not seen or heard anything suspicious in Boulcott Street during that time, it was vital police could account for all of those vehicles and people.



Police also released photos of the vehicles from the CCTV footage.



Miller said he believed both of the two men charged had spoken to associates about what they did.



He asked them to contact Wellington police on 04 381-2000 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cottrell's funeral will be on Friday at St Andrew's on The Terrace.

FAMILY STATEMENT

Meanwhile Cottrell's sister Sue Hollows issued a statement thanking his friends, colleagues, hospital staff and the taxi driver who first found him.



The statement, on behalf of the family, said they were shocked that such a kind and gentle man could be taken in such a brutal way.



"On behalf of our family, we want to thank all Phil's friends and colleagues who have supported us at the hospital and in all of these horrible days following.



"We know they share in our grief. We were comforted to know that someone loving was always by Phil's side, even before we could get to Wellington to be with him."



The statement went on to thank the community of Te Anau and both friends and strangers, who rallied around to help such a "dreadful time".



"The family is also extremely grateful to the quick actions of the taxi driver who first found Phil and called emergency services. We appeal to anyone that may have any information relating to the attack to please contact the police."

- The Dominion Post and Stuff