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National | Kaumātua

No new leads in Taiaroa shooting

Taiaroa was shot down while holding a go-stop sign at Tirohanga Bridge near Atiamuri on Tuesday afternoon.

Police are yet to establish a motive and describe the attack as isolated.

Meanwhile, the family left their Hamilton home today and headed for Ngātokowaru Marae in Levin.

George Charles Taiaroa's body was taken to Ngātokowaru Marae in Levin where his family are preparing for his funeral.

Today his relatives were still too distraught to  speak of his death and instead issued a statement which described the husband, father and grandfather as a gentle giant, a big man with an even bigger heart.

Police confirmed that the coroner had completed the autopsy on the body and confirmed he had died from a fatal gun shot.

On Tuesday, he was manning a go-stop sign at Tirohanga Bridge near Atiamuri when a driver in a 4x4 truck allegedly shot him dead.

Police have a list of suspects and today stepped up the investigation.

George Taiaroa was just 67 and his family say he was the epitome of love.

He loved to fish, dive and play rugby. George Taiaroa will be cremated on Saturday.

Reporter: Heeni Brown.