Police investigating the death of a 21-year-old man in South Auckland last Saturday are looking for two men who attacked him then fled.
Nigel Fuatimu Photo: SUPPLIED/ NZ Police
Nigel Fuatimu died in Jellicoe Park in Manurewa from injuries sustained during the attack, which is believed to have been random and unprovoked.
Police in a statement said Fuatimu and three friends had been drinking the night of the attack and headed to the park about 11pm. They were playing loud music from a Bluetooth speaker when two men approached them.
A fight broke out and Fuatimu was killed at the scene.
The attack is believed to have been "random and unprovoked."
Police said they know there was more than one offender, and up to four people could have been involved. They are described as Pacific Islanders.
Acting detective inspector Warrick Adkin said there was no indication the attackers knew Fuatimu.
"The witness statements that we've obtained so far indicate that the attackers are Pacific Islander. We know there were two males involved, but these males were part of a wider group where there could be up to four people involved," he said.
Adkin said a large team of police were working to establish more detailed physical descriptions and work through a number of items recovered at Jellicoe Park, which "may or may not be connected" to the attack.
He would not confirm if a weapon had been used.
Adkin said Fuatimu's friends had been cooperating with the investigation, and the Manurewa community had been "fantastic" in its support.
He urged anyone else with information about the attack to contact the police - including anyone who was in the area and remembered "quite loud" music being played at the social gathering.
"We believe there are people within the community who know exactly what happened in Jellicoe Park last Saturday night around 11pm, and know the identity of those persons involved," he said.
"Police are urging the people involved to do the right thing for Mr Fuatimu and his family.
"We are asking that they also do the right thing and contact police so we can provide some closure for Mr Fuatimu's family."
Adkin urged people to contact police if they knew anything about the identities of the people involved.
Anyone with information about this incident or the identities of those involved is urged to contact Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1321 or report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 - referencing Operation Preston.