Police are assessing information provided by motorists who were surveyed at road checks yesterday, exactly one week since the fatal shooting of George Taiaroa on Tram Road, Atiamuri.
Over 1,000 vehicles passed through five checkpoints set up to cover the potential routes that a blue Jeep Cherokee of interest to the Police may have taken. The road checks ran from 2pm until approximately 6.30pm aimed at capturing regular road users who may have been in the area last Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said: "A number of motorists offered information they thought might assist us. I can't comment in any detail about the information and it's too early to say where any of it will take us, but the fact that we identified more potential witnesses made it a very worthwhile exercise. It also convinces us that there is still information to be found, so I can't stress enough the importance of telling us what you know, no matter how small or irrelevant it may seem."
Of particular note, a motorist at one of the checkpoints was identified as someone who had been at the Tram Road scene immediately after the shooting but had not previously spoken to Police.
"If you were witness to anything that might be relevant or have any information that can help us, please don't wait for us to try and find you, come and speak to us," said DI Anderson.
The public appeal has also brought forward the driver of a car which came nose to nose with a tractor on the Tram Road bridge in the 30 minutes prior to the shooting. Each snippet of information provided to the team helps to piece together events on that day.
Although yesterday's operation was focused on the road network police are keen to remind the public of the off-road capability of the 4WD that is at the centre of the investigation.
"We have a long weekend approaching and fine weather is expected to bring a lot of people to the area," said DI Anderson. "I appeal to anyone camping, tramping, hunting, biking or enjoying any other outdoor activities in the area to keep an eye out for any that might assist us, whether that's a vehicle or something else that seems suspicious or out of place."
Police are still yet to establish a motive for the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team directly on 0800 Kingswood (0800 546 479). Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.