Police searching an area known as Bortons Pond on the Waitaki River. Photo: Supplied / Police
Investigations into the disappearance of a man police believe to have been murdered in the South Island are ramping up this week.
Anaru Moana has not been seen since December last year.
Police have identified several new locations of interest in the Waitaki Valley and Oamaru areas which they will be searching this week.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Joel Syme said a number of Moana's associates have been spoken to, and timeframes of when he may have been killed are being narrowed down.
Police were following positive lines of enquiry into the movements of people of interest, in the 24 hours after the 37-year-old disappeared, he said.
Police seek sightings of Silver/grey Subaru in relation to an investigation into the disappearance of Anaru Moana. Photo: Supplied / Police
Police are now appealing for sightings of a silver/grey Subaru and a silver BMW which were seen in the Duntroon and Blacks Point area of the Waitaki Valley on the evening of 20 December 2021 and the early hours of 21 December 2021.
The Subaru in question was later found burnt-out at the Waihoa layby off State Highway One on 22 December 2021.
Police urged anyone with information to contact them via 105 and quote file number 211223/0992.
Police are seeking sightings of a silver BMW in relation to an investigation into the disappearance of Anaru Moana. Photo: Supplied / Police