The man accused of killing a university student, who was found dead on a Mount Albert walkway last year, has pleaded not guilty.
Tom Coombes, 25, was discovered in Roy Clements Treeway in May 2022 and in the days that followed, a man was arrested and charged with his murder.
The man entered a not guilty plea at an appearance at the High Court at Auckland before Justice Mathew Downs on Wednesday morning.
However, an interim name suppression order means he still cannot be named. A trial date is yet to be set.
Last year following Coombes' death, his family released striking photos of a paddle-out at his funeral.
More than 700 people gathered for his funeral at Bethells Beach in June last year.
Images from the funeral show more than a dozen surfers gathered in a circle in the ocean paying tribute.
His mother Rowena Coombes said her son was a "young man who followed his dreams".
"We want his life to inspire other young people to do the same," she said.
At the funeral, Coombes' father Murray thanked police for their work.
"We can't speak highly enough of the police. We want the public to know what an incredible job they have done. They deserve a lot of recognition," he said.
