Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A 37-year-old man charged with the murder of a child in South Auckland overnight has been remanded in custody without plea.
The man was arrested after police found a child dead in his car in the early hours of Monday, shortly after he spoke to staff at Manukau police station.
He appeared in Manukau District Court on Monday afternoon, sometimes bowing his head, while family members in the courtroom appeared distressed.
His lawyer, Sharyn Green, asked for interim name suppression on the basis of a fair trial and risks to his safety.
She also sought a health report to be ordered, and that he be remanded in custody without entering a plea.
Green said after going to police in the early hours of Monday morning, he had been treated in hospital for wounds to his head and face.
Judge Ngaroma Tahana granted the man interim name suppression and suppressed the victim's identity including age, gender, ethnicity, relationship to the alleged offender and cause of death.
She said more information was needed before the court would order health reports for the accused.
Police earlier said the man was known to the child's family but the relationship between him and the victim cannot be reported.
A post-mortem was to be carried out this week, police said. Victim Support was speaking to the child's mother and family.
Court documents revealed the alleged offending took place on Sunday in East Tamaki.
He is next due to appear in the High Court in Auckland on 5 February.
