A manhunt is continuing for the people who allegedly murdered Waimate father-of-two Anaru Moana in 2021.
Police said the investigation into the disappearance of the 37-year-old, who has not been seen since December 20.
His disappearance came several hours after his mother died of cancer in a hospice in the south Canterbury town of Waimate.
He was last seen at his home in Mary St by his niece at about 6:30am. His phone and bank cards also disappeared.
Det Insp Joel Syme said the investigation team has spoken to several of Moana's associates and narrowed down the timeframe of when he is believed to have been murdered.
"We are following positive lines of enquiry into the movements of persons of interest in the 24 hours after Mr Moana’s disappearance.
"Through our investigation efforts, we have identified several new locations of interest in the Waitaki Valley and Oamaru area, which members of the police specialist search team will be searching this week."
Syme said police remain committed to finding Moana and returning him to his whānau.
"We would like to thank those who have come forward with information and assisted us so far."
The public is now being asked for any information about two vehicles that were seen in the area where it's believed Moana was killed.
"We are now also appealing to the community for sightings of a silver/grey Subaru and a silver BMW (pictured), which were seen in the Duntroon and Blacks Point area of the Waitaki Valley on the evening of December 20, 2021 and the early hours of December 21, 2021," Syme said.
"The Subaru was later located burnt-out at the Waihoa River layby off SH1 on December 22, 2021."
Syme urges anyone with information about the murder to come forward and speak to the police.
"Anyone with information is asked to please come forward to Police via 105 and quote file number 211223/0992.
"Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org."
