Southland Police have arrested and charged two people in relation to the murder of Dale Watene.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stuart Harvey said a 30-year-old woman had been charged with murder and a 23-year-old man with accessory after the fact to murder. They are due to appear in Invercargill District Court today.

Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter.

Police would like to thank the Otautau community for their support and assistance over the last four months.

Mr Watene’s family have been advised of the latest development and they wish to thank Southland Police for the investigation.

As the matter is now before the court, police will not make any further comment on the case.

Dale Tama Watene, aged 40, of Otautau, went missing between April 15 and 18. His vehicle was located by police on April 18 at Holt Park in Otautau. A homicide inquiry was launched following the discovery of his body in the Longwood Forestry block in May.