Police investigating the death of 31-year-old Peri Niwa in New Plymouth are focusing their appeal towards local partygoers.
It is known that there was a party at a house in Blagdon Road on Saturday night (15 November) with upwards of 50 guests who may hold crucial information. Only a handful of guests at that party have so far come forward to police.
It was around midnight, in the street not far from the Blagdon Road address that there is believed to have been some sort of confrontation, shortly after which Mr Niwa was found dead in a house in nearby Squire Place.
A post mortem examination carried out today confirmed that police are dealing with a homicide. The result of the post mortem is not being disclosed for investigative reasons.
The scene examination is now complete and officers have continued to canvas the area throughout the day speaking to a significant number of people, with good co-operation. There has also been a positive response to media appeals.
Anyone who attended the Blagdon Road party is urged to contact police, along with anyone else who was in the area around midnight on Saturday and heard or saw anything that may be relevant to the investigation.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.