Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police say they are reviewing new information about the murder of David John Robinson, 26 years on, after canvassing the small West Coast settlement of Kakapotahi.
Robinson's body was found on a remote West Coast beach, near Ross, in late December 1998, sparking a homicide investigation.
Detective Inspector Geoff Baber said it had been reported a single gunshot was heard by a number of people in the Kakapotahi settlement between 14 and 18 December - approximately two weeks before the 25 year old's body was located about three kilometres away.
He said there had been no explanation for the gunshot, and anyone who knew about it should come forward to police.
The new information came to light after re-interviewing people in mid-February, resulting in new lines of enquiry.
"The dedicated investigation team based in Hokitika Police Station, are following these new leads, and are interviewing new people now located across the West Coast and some other parts of the South Island."
Detective Inspector Baber said cold cases were periodically reviewed with the aim of identifying opportunities to solve them and bring closure to loved ones.
"Our goal is to get justice for David, and answers for his family."
If you have information that could help the investigation, please email police via the Cold Case form on the New Zealand Police website, or call 105 and reference the case number 231129/2221.
