A Waikato man charged with the murder of his partner has been granted bail.

Cory Scott Jefferies, 45, appeared in the High Court at Hamilton this morning and through his lawyer Tom Sutcliffe, put his case forward for electronically-monitored bail.

Jefferies has been charged with the murder of his partner of 26 years Kim Louise Richmond sometime between July 31, 2016 and August 2, 2016 at Wharepapa South.

It took police 11 months to find Richmond's body. It was discovered in her missing Ford ute in Lake Arapuni last month.

Justice Matthew Muir granted the application. Jefferies will reappear for a trial callover in October.

More than 20 family and friends of both parties were in the public gallery to hear the application.