The three suspects were arrested and appeared in court on Monday.

The adults were named as Deborah Jean Tihema, 38, and Cyle Robert Jetson, 20. The teenager involved in the crime was not named.

The New Zealand Herald reported that the man, who settled in the country 20 years ago, was set upon on Thursday night in the Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club carpark and was found in a serious condition due to deep head wounds.

Mr Raviola, who was well known in La Spezia, where his ex-wife lives, was taken to hospital and operated on before being put into a drug-induced coma, but died three days later.

The Italian embassy in Wellington is providing assistance to Mr Raviola's family along with the foreign ministry.  

The three accused made no pleas or applications for bail on Monday and Judge Stephen O'Driscoll remanded the adults in custody to the High Court on April 12.

The teenager is remanded in the custody of Child, Youth and Family services.

With ANSA