Tonight the crime show Police Ten-7 will feature an appeal for help in tracing the movements of the 24-year-old man charged with the murder of Edward Tahakura, whose body was found on Otaki Beach on 12 September, 2013.
Officer in charge of the investigation Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said: "The investigation team and I want to thank the public for their support as well as two of the five drivers who have already come forward."
"We are still very keen to speak to the three other people who gave the offender a lift, in particular the truck driver who picked him up from the Otaki area during the early hours of Thursday 12 September and dropped him off near the ferry terminals in Wellington.
"I want to reiterate to those drivers that gave the offender a lift that they aren’t in any trouble; we just need to piece together the offender's movements as this is a crucial part of our investigation," said Mr Sheridan.
The 24-year-old male offender is described as being of Maori descent, of medium build, approximately 1.8 metres tall with closely shaven black hair.
Anyone that may have seen the offender hitchhiking, or is one of the three outstanding people who have given him a ride is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan on (06) 351 3781.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police Ten-7 can be viewed at 7.30pm this Thursday (26 September) on TV2.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.
