Police say a picture of a "genuinely decent, kind hearted man" has emerged during their inquiry into the fatal shooting of Paeroa pizza shop owner Jordan Voudouris.
The 55-year-old's body was found in a driveway behind his business, Mykonos Pizza and Pasta, early on the morning of June 18.
Police previously confirmed his death was a homicide but had revealed little else, including the results of a post-mortem examination.
At a press conference today, district field crime supervisor Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Whitehead admitted the murder was a real "whodunit mystery" and confirmed Mr Voudouris had been shot.
"We can reveal he was shot at the rear of his premises before stumbling some distance to a gate bordering the property where he was found."
Police had profiled Mr Voudouris during the course of their investigation, and a picture of a "genuinely decent, kind hearted man" had emerged.
"While it is not uncommon for people to speak well of a person after they have died, the police can usually establish if there is a darker side to their lives. In Jordan's case everything is overwhelmingly positive," Mr Whitehead said.
"In a way this then makes it more difficult for investigators - here we have a decent man with no apparent reason why anyone would harm him, let alone shoot him."
Mr Voudouris, who was killed five days before his 56th birthday, left behind three children from a previous relationship and was remembered as a supportive, caring father.
"Jordan grew up in an orphanage in Greece before travelling the world as a merchant seaman and then following an older brother to settle here in New Zealand. He established his business in Paeroa eight years ago and was well liked," Mr Whitehead said.
He was well respected by his staff and, when asked if he had appeared troubled prior to his death, one worker said Mr Voudouris had been concerned when he had to increase his prices because of a rise in GST.
"She told us of Jordan putting a letter of apology to customers up in the store window and others told of a man who would give food away to kids on the street at the close of business or put extras into customers' orders when he thought they had had to wait too long for their food."
Mr Whitehead believed the key to the case still lay in Paeroa, and perhaps someone who saw or heard something did not realise how significant it could be.
"Often in such cases in small communities information vital to the case comes to hand at an early stage, but as of today we haven't been able to establish if this is a robbery that has gone wrong or if someone had a reason to harm Jordan."
Two men were arrested for aggravated robbery in Waihi and Katikati on the same day Mr Voudouris' body was discovered but they are understood not to be central to the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Paeroa police on 07 862 8744, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
The investigation team has also launched a Facebook site where information can be left: www.facebook.com/PaeroaPoliceJordanVoudourisHomicide.
- By James Ihaka New Zealand Herald and Matthew Theunissen of APNZ
