Police have offered a $100,000 reward and possible immunity from prosecution in an appeal for information into the murder of Arthur Easton in Auckland's Papakura 39 years ago.
Detective Inspector Warrick Adkin announced the reward at Counties Manukau Police Station on Tuesday.
The reward would be in place until 24 January, 2025.
Easton, 52, was stabbed to death by an intruder who broke into his home in October 1985.
The appeal comes just weeks after Police Commissioner Andrew Coster announced he had met with Alan Hall and his family to apologise for his wrongful conviction for the murder.
Arthur Easton and two items left at the scene of his death. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Police in August said three people had been charged over the miscarriage of justice.
All three have pleaded not guilty.
Arthur Easton was killed in his home in Auckland's Papakura in 1985. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Adkin said immunity would also be considered for any accomplice, who was not the principle offender, and gave information or evidence that lead to a successful conviction.
"On Sunday the 13th of October 1985, 39 years ago this month, a male intruder entered the Easton family home on Grove Road, Papakura, at about 8pm," he said, describing the killing.
"One of Arthur's sons disturbed the intruder and alerted the household. This offender was wearing a brown, woollen hat, pulled down over his face. He was also armed with a bayonet.
"Arthur and his two teenage sons confronted this intruder in the hallway, leading to a violent altercation. Arthur, who was 52 at the time, was stabbed multiple times and later succumbed to these injuries at his home."
Adkin said the offender then fled the home, leaving the hat and bayonet behind.
"To this day, Arthur's killer remains at large and this investigation will work to bring this person before the court.
"We know there will still be people within our community today who know who is responsible for Arthur's death. I encourage them to do the right thing now and come forward."
Adkin said the Easton family was aware of the reward and supported the approach. They were being kept up to date with the investigation monthly.
Speaking to Checkpoint, Adkin said police believed this was the right time to offer the reward.
"Over time, relationships and loyalties can change, and I am confident that there will be people in the community who do have information about who was responsible for this homicide, or have any information at all, and we encourage them to do the right thing and come forward and help us solve this matter."
He told Checkpoint there were a number of suspects at that time and police had spoken to several people associated with the original investigation.
"We're working through those names from the original investigation, but we're also looking at new persons of interest and we're confident that this reward will generate new information for the investigation team."
He said police were keeping an open mind about who the offender could be, and the public's help could be the key to solving the case, so the Easton family could finally have the answers they deserved.
In a statement, the Easton family said their lives were "shattered" when their father was "brutally murdered" in the family home.
"He was a kind, hardworking man who cherished his family. He would have liked nothing better than seeing his children grow up, be there for their important moments and would have loved being a grandfather.
"We have been robbed of a lifetime of memories with him. The pain of his loss and the unanswered questions continue to haunt us every day.
"We believe someone out there knows something that could help bring his killer to justice."
The family said even the smallest detail could help solve the case and asked anyone with information to "do the right thing, come forward and help us find peace".
Adkin said police had launched an 0800 number for information to be given directly to the investigation team, along with a dedicated email address.
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