Police are charging 12 people for the murder of a Rotorua man last month

20-year-old Zain Taikato Fox died in Rotorua Hospital from critical injuries after being found on a roadside.

Police carried out pre-planned search warrants alongside the Armed Offenders Squad in Maketu, Rotorua, and Whanganui this morning.

The arrests include seven Maketu men ages ranging from 22 to 63 and four Rotorua men, three in their 20s and one aged 54.

A single male youth was arrested in Whanganui.

All 12 are due to appear in Tauranga Youth Court later today.