The man charged with the murder of Kim Richmond has been granted interim name suppression.

The 45-year-old was arrested yesterday and appeared in Hamilton District Court today.

Judge Louis Bidois granted the accused interim name suppression at the request of defence laywer Thomas Sutcliffe.

Thomas applied for the suppression order as some of the man's family were not aware of the charge.

Kim's body was found in a silver 2014 Ford Ranger, which was recovered from Lake Arapuni last week.

She was last seen at her home in Arohena, near Te Awamutu, on July 31, 2016.

The man accused of her murder will remain in custody until his next appearance in the High Court in Hamilton next month.