A Waimate man was allegedly shot out of a tree, as he tried to escape his attackers, before being murdered and dumped in a river

Anaru Moana was last seen five days before Christmas in 2021 - his body has never been found.

Details of the 37-year-old's final hours emerged yesterday in the High Court at Christchurch, where four people are on trial for his murder.

The Crown says Moana was lured to the bush by an associate shortly after visiting his dying mother in hospice.

His body was then driven around the Waimate area before being dumped in the Waitaki River.

The Crown will continue its opening address today.