Police have reopened the historic cold case into Rotorua man Karl Anders Nyman as they hunt for those responsible for the attempted murder plan.
A balaclava-clad gunman was hired to shoot Nyman, promised a payment of cannabis in return.
While he failed, seriously injuring Nyman instead, those who conspired to kill him remain on the loose.
The hired assassin, Warren Uata Kiwi, was convicted in 2019 but police know there are other people involved who have never been charged.
The now 62-year-old was charged with the attempted murder as a 'gun for hire' and he was imprisoned for nine years.
But those who hired Kiwi have never been found.
"We have recommenced this investigation into the historic attempted murder," Detective Sergeant Tony Colby said.
"This is still a cold case as Police search for who was behind the attempted murder plan."
Twenty-one years ago, in the early hours of the morning, Nyman was shot by a man hired to kill him.
At around 4:15am on July 31, 2002, the truck driver left his house and walked down his driveway on his way to work.
As he reached the footpath where his truck was parked, a balaclava-clad Kiwi approached him with a rifle.
Nyman fought back, grabbing the rifle but was subsequently shot in the knee.
Kiwi then fled the scene, leaving Nyman injured, laying on the front lawn until the police showed up.
"Life has never been the same since that morning in July of 2002 and will probably never be the same - but we have coped for 21 years as best we can," Nyman said in a statement.
Police said they do not know the motive behind the attempted murder and are seeking people to come forward with any information they may have as to who was responsible for wanting Nyman dead.
"There are more people who have information, and maybe they saw or heard what happened but are reluctant to talk with us," Det Sgt Colby said.
"This was a serious incident which nearly led to a man's death.
"We're hoping new details and fresh information will help us get the answers we need to find who was behind the murder attempt."
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation can contact Police via 105, referencing file number 020731/0985.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or online via www.crimestoppers-nz.org
