Taumarunui Police can now name the man whose body was found in a shallow grave on Wednesday 13 November, 2013 in Ongarue.
He was Nikora Wikaira, aged 58, from Ongarue.
A post mortem was completed yesterday afternoon and Police are working to return Nikora's body to his family. The preliminary post-mortem results identify a single gunshot wound to the upper body.
Police can confirm the offender and victim are related but are not prepared to discuss their relationship.
"We have completed our scene examination at the gravesite and the three other examinations should be completed within the next two days. Officers searching the riverbank yesterday located a firearm partly submerged in the river. The firearm has been secured and will be forensically examined," says Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby.
"There is a dedicated team of thirty officers working on the investigation and they are continuing to canvass the area and speak with locals. A focus for us today is trying to piece together the activities in the Ongarue area leading up to Police finding Nikora's body.
It is understood that during daylight hours on Tuesday the 12th of November the offender has hitchhiked from the Ongarue Road turnoff and been picked up by a motorist and given a ride to Taumarunui. He has made some purchases before catching a ride from the township back to the turnoff.
"Police are keen to speak to the people that gave this man a ride. I want to reassure these people that they are not in any trouble; we just need to verify some information."
It is unknown what the 57-year-old offender was wearing at the time however he is of Maori descent, has greying dark coloured hair and brown eyes, and is of thin build and average height.
"We encourage those that gave him a ride or anyone who has any information to contact Police immediately," says Detective Senior Sergeant Kirby.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Taumarunui Police on (07) 895 8119. Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police seek the support of media in respecting the privacy of the Wikaira family at this difficult time.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.