A vehicle of interest to the police team investigating the death of George Taiaroa is believed to have been parked up on a nearby road prior to the fatal shooting.
A farmer has told police that he was travelling in a tractor unit along Ongaroto Road from Whakamaru towards Atiamuri on the afternoon of Tuesday, 19 March.
At one point on Ongaroto Road he had to pull around a dark coloured Jeep which was parked partially on the road. Further down Ongaroto he noted that the same vehicle was now travelling behind him and continued to follow him when he turned on to Tram Road and towards traffic controlled point being manned by George.
Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said: "Although the tractor was travelling at relatively low speeds and the road was clear the 4WD did not take any opportunity to pass the tractor. As the tractor passed George and headed over the Tram Road bridge the 4WD appeared to drop back and as a result it was then stopped by George at the traffic control point.
"We've been working with the tractor driver to pin point the timings of his sightings and everything suggests that this is our vehicle of interest, a Jeep Cherokee. A minute or so later George was shot."
Police want to hear from anyone who travelled along Ongaroto Road, on Tuesday, 19 March, particularly between the hours of 2.30pm and 3.15pm who may have seen the vehicle or anyone acting suspiciously.
Police are still yet to establish a motive for the shooting. It has been confirmed that George had returned from his lunch break approximately 25 minutes before he was killed, but it is still unclear as to why George was the victim.
"It's been two weeks now since George was killed and we have found nothing to suggest that George was anything but a friendly, hard-working, family man," said DI Anderson. "Someone out there must know who is responsible for this crime and what motivated them to commit it. As the Taiaroa family stated during their public appeal last week, those people need to "be brave" and come forward."
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.