Manhunt update: One arrested

Police have arrested another person in relation to the violent death of Featherston man Glen Jones.

Mr Jones, a 40-year-old supermarket worker, died after a brutal attack in his Fitzherbert Street home on Saturday morning.

Kristofer Jones, 23, was arrested by armed police on State Highway 1 near Hunterville about 2am today, said Wairarapa Police Detective Inspector Sean Hansen.

Jones will appear in the Palmerston North District Court this afternoon charged with aggravated burglary.

His arrest follows the arrest of three other people believed to be involved in the attack.

Two women, aged 32 and 22, and a man aged 28 appeared in Masterton District Court yesterday afternoon on related charges and did not enter pleas to a count each of entering a building while armed with intent to commit a crime.

Mr Hansen said police are still appealing for any sightings of Hayden Ransom, 27. He is believed to be travelling alone.

"I would still advise members of the public to not to approach him and to contact police immediately," Mr Hansen said.

Anyone with information about Mr Ransom's whereabouts should contact Wairarapa Police on (06) 370 0300 or wairarapa.police@police.govt.nz, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Earlier story: Two men at the centre of a police search after the death of a Featherston supermarket worker may be in the central or upper North Island, police say.

There have been no confirmed sightings, but police say they are continuing to follow up useful information from the public.

Kristofer Jones, 23, and Hayden Ranson, 27, are believed to have fled the greater Wellington region and may be in the central or upper North Island.

Both men were wanted for aggravated burglary in connection with an attack on Glen Jones.

Mr Jones, 40, was the victim of an attack and was found bloodied and unconscious in his Fitzherbert St unit in Featherston soon after 12am on Saturday.

He died in Wellington Hospital about 5am that day.

Wellington district police spokesman Nick Bohm this morning said there had been not yet been any confirmed sightings of Jones and Ranson.

But he said police and the anonymous Crimestoppers line had received a number of useful calls.

"We're still very appreciative of the information that's coming in from the public."

Asked what connections the men had in the North Island, outside of their local area, Mr Bohm said: "We are obviously pursuing lines of inquiry about any associations they may have."

Two women, aged 32 and 22, and a man aged 28 appeared in Masterton District Court yesterday afternoon on related charges and did not enter pleas to a count each of entering a building while armed with intent to commit a crime.

Detective Inspector Sean Hansen yesterday said the two remaining men were believed to be driving a blue 1989 Mitsubishi Mirage, registration OE7854.

"Members of the public are advised not to approach them and should immediately contact police," he said.

Police on Sunday recovered three items which might have been used in the attack from an industrial property in Lower Hutt.