An 80-year-old man accused of killing his wife, aged 78, in a retirement village in Mount Maunganui on Sunday night can be named.

John Alfred Salter appeared in the Tauranga District Court on Monday afternoon, charged with murder.

Salter’s lawyer Tony Rickard-Simms did not apply for name suppression and no plea was entered.

His next court appearance is in Tauranga on November 1. .

Police were called to Bayswater retirement village in Mount Maunganui at 6.55pm where they found the body of Jean Salter.

Metlifecare, which own the Bayswater village, is helping police with its investigation.

“This is an extremely sad incident, and we extend our sincere condolences to the families of the individuals involved. We are providing support to our other residents and staff who knew them and have engaged Victim Support to assist,” says a Metlifecare spokesperson.

-Katie Ham and Annemarie Quill/Stuff.