Five men have now been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of James Whatuira in Woodville in January.

Troy Simmons, Scott Simmons, Michael Fiti and William Hartley were all originally charged with being party to murder, but had charges upgraded in the High Court in Wellington this morning.

All four joined Daniel Rei in pleading not guilty, when they appeared via video link from Palmerston North.

Mr Whatuira was killed by a single gunshot wound, and the house he died in was destroyed by fire almost two months later.

All five men were remanded in custody, with a trial set down for May next year.