Lake Arapuni murder trial: Victim's partner in court

A man accused of murdering his partner and dumping her body in a lake is on trial at the High Court in Hamilton.

Cory Jefferies, 46, is charged with the murder of mother-of-three Kim Richmond in 2016.

Ms Richmond, a 42-year-old mother of three, disappeared from her Arohena home on July 31.

During the almost year-long search, police scoured Lake Arapuni multiple times.

Her silver Ford Ranger ute was discovered in the lake by a police dive squad in June 2017. Her body was inside.

Jefferies was arrested days later, outside the funeral home where her body lay.

A Givealittle page set up to support the family raised $6660.

Jefferies has pleaded not guilty. The trial, expected to last a week, will resume on Tuesday.

Newshub.