The man accused of shooting and killing George Taiaroa will stand trial in the Rotorua High Court today.

Quintin Winders, 45, was arrested following a two-year investigation into the killing of George who was shot while working a stop-go sign on a one-lane bridge in Atiamuri near Tokoroa in 2013.

Quinton Winders, 45, appearing in the Rotorua High Court in December 2015. Photo: Christel Yardley/Fairfax NZ.

He has denied the charges and pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance at Rotorua's High Court in December of last year.

Winders was taken in for questioning by police early on in their murder inquiry, but was later released due to a lack of evidence. He also lived on a Whangamomona farm that was searched by police investigating Taiaroa's murder before moving to Stratford near New Plymouth in late 2014.

During a 2014 interview, Winders denied shooting George and claimed it was fabricated by police who he accused of harassment.

While at a pre-trial hearing in March this year, Winders' lawyer Jonathon Temm QC argued his client was arrested unlawfully, claiming Winders was originally arrested over allegations of dangerous driving.

But after his arrest, Jonathon says the dangerous driving 'was never mentioned again” and Winders was then quizzed by police for two hours about the 2013 killing.

At the time of the shooting, the Taiaroa family were at a loss to explain the murder, describing George as a kind, gentle man who hated conflict.

His wife Helen believes her husband was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The trial is scheduled to last for one month

– Additional reporting from Stuff.co.nz

George Taiaroa was shot and killed while working a stop-go sign on a one-lane bridge in Atiamuri near Tokoroa in 2013. File Photo.