UPDATED 9.58AM: A Taranaki man has denied killing roadworker George Taiaroa in 2013.

Quinton Winders has pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder in the High Court at Rotorua.

The 45-year-old was arrested and charged in November

Taiaroa died after being shot while operating a stop-go sign at roadworks at Atiamuri over two years ago.

Winders was wearing a dark grey suit with a blue tie and stood silently in the dock as the not-guilty plea was entered through his lawyer. His father was also in court, sitting in the public gallery.

His trial has been set down for August and is expected to take four weeks.