The victim of a shooting in the Auckland suburb of Māngere has been named as Abraham Tu'uheava - otherwise known as Epalahame, or Hame.
Mr Tu'uheava was found shot dead on the side of Greenwood Rd, Māngere next to a woman who had also been shot.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faa Vaaelua told reporters the pair were discovered after a passing motorist noticed what appeared to be two dead bodies on the side of the road at around 6am.
The woman was taken to Auckland City Hospital and is now in a stable condition and helping police with their investigation.
But there is little information to go off and investigators have now turned to the public for help.
They're looking for two male offenders, believed to be Tongans. The pair have been described as one being taller than the other and one being older than the other.
According to Det Insp Faa Vaaelua, the taller man may have a hunchback.
He defended the police decision to refer to the offenders as Tongans after it was criticised by members of the Tongan community.
"The information we put out in the media is based on facts and the information that we receive," he said.
"I stand in front of you as a Pacific Islander Detective Inspector working on this inquiry. We want anybody out there who knows anything about this to come forward and provide information to the police.
"All I had and could give you is that they were two male Tongans - hopefully that will assist members of the public to provide information as to who these perpetrators are."
Police also want to hear from anyone who saw the victim's silver 2017 Toyota Camry on Greenwood Rd before 6am on Tuesday.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Counties Manukau Crime Squad on 09 261 1321 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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