Wellington, Nov 23 NZPA - The families of slain Bay of Plenty regional councillor Hawea Vercoe and the man accused of his murder exchanged obscenities in Whakatane District Court today and had to be restrained.

Isaiah Johnson Richard Tai, 21, appeared in court charged over Mr Vercoe's death outside a Whakatane pub early yesterday.

Mr Hawea, 36, a school principal of nearby Rotoiti, died after he was apparently punched to the ground outside the Quart House bar on The Strand, about 2.30am.

Judge Paul Gagan refused to grant name suppression, referring to the presence of a number of Tai's family members in the public gallery, the New Zealand Herald reported.

Tai's family members tried to block media from the courtroom, the newspaper said.

As Tai was led away, his supporters shouted "we love you, brother", and Mr Vercoe's family reacted with obscenties.

Family members on both sides had to be restrained and were separated as they left the courtroom.