An arrest warrant is being issued for the 21-year-old Tauranga man, who assaulted Merivale father Lance Scullin the night before he died, after he failed to appear in court today.

Mihaka Ratahi was due to appear for sentencing in Tauranga District Court this morning after pleading guilty in January to assault with a blunt instrument.

Lance Scullin was found dead at his Kesteven Avenue property in Merivale on December 1.

Ratahi earlier admitted to assaulting the 50-year-old father with a piece of wood outside the victim's home on Kesteven Avenue on November 31 last year.

According to the summary of facts, Lance had gone to the aid of another Merivale resident when he was assaulted by a group about 10pm.

Lance, a father of five and Merivale Neighbourhood Support Group co-ordinator, was found dead at his Merivale home by neighbours about 10am on Sunday, December 1.

Police believe the assault and death are not directly linked.

Ratahi's co-accused Anthony Jack Taikato, 32, was also back in court yesterday for breaching his bail conditions after he failed to appear at the door when police conducted a check on him.

Taikato is on bail after pleading not guilty to assault with intent to injure, common assault and participating in an organised criminal group.

Taikato handed himself into police on Wednesday morning claiming he didn't know police had arrived at his house the night before, as he was at the back of the property after having a domestic argument with his partner.

But in court Taikato admitted to making the explanation up and was given a warning by the judge. He is due back in court on March 11.

Merivale man Shem Williams, 21, Lance Perawiti, 19, from Gate Pa, and Tauranga man Zodiac Wiremu Taikato, 20, are also charged with participating in an organised criminal group in relation to the incident.