Items found during a scene examination may help identify those responsible for the aggravated robbery of Chinese tourists in the Far North on Friday, police say.
The three tourists were at Te Paki at the top of the North Island when two men hailed them down before assaulting them, threatening them with knives and robbing them.
Detective Sergeant Trevor Beatson from the Kaitaia police said an investigation team had completed its scene examination over the weekend, including a reconstruction and examination of the vehicle being driven by the complainants.
"We have found a number of items of interest in our scenes which we hope will assist in identifying the suspects for this inquiry," Mr Beatson said.
He said police had spoken widely with locals and there was a lot of uneasiness in the area regarding the incident.
"Locals are definitely concerned about their image, and reputation being tarnished".
Police were staying open-minded about where the suspects were from.
A lot of support had come from the public expressing outrage about the type of offending, and there was plenty of encouragement to catch those responsible.
"What we really need is information from the public to identify those responsible, to make them accountable for their actions," Mr Beatson said.
"These men will have talked to people about what has happened, their partners or friends or family. Someone will know who has done this; someone will have seen the cash and foreign looking property with these men. It is those people who we want to come forward and to provide us with that information."
Condemnation over the incident has also come from Parliament, with Labour Party tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis saying attacks on tourists in the Far North were too frequent.
"Their [the tourists] faith in New Zealand has been shattered," Mr Davis said.
"These idiots just don't seem to realise that our culture tells us to care for our manuhiri [guests] not bash them, or that they are stuffing things up for family and friends involved in Northland's tourism industry."
The alleged offenders were described as male Maori, both believed to be in their 20's, with one of the men being tall with a strong physical build, the other shorter with a more solid, heavier build.
Both were wearing hooded clothing, and one of the men covered his face to avoid being seen.
They were believed to have been driving a dark red or maroon coloured station wagon, with three fishing rods poking out of a side window.
Anyone who saw the vehicle between Kaitaia and Cape Reinga on Friday between 12pm and 6pm were urged to contact police.
Mr Beatson said the victims were recovering from the ordeal and were keen to see those responsible brought to justice before they returned to China.
