Police believe robbery was the motive for the kidnap and brutal beating of a Taranaki taxi driver found locked in the boot of his car on Friday.
No money was found in the taxi, or in the driver's wallet that was left on the front seat.
"Taxi drivers always have money on them," Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward told the Taranaki Daily News.
"We believe that he has probably been robbed."
Egmont City Cabs taxi driver Tony Brosnan, 49, of Waitara, was found locked in the boot of his cab at Urenui School, distressed and badly dehydrated with a severe head injury.
Mr Coward called for anyone who had been in the taxi that night to come forward.
Police still want to speak to a male hitchhiker seen thumbing a ride from Urenui, 30km east of New Plymouth, towards Waitara about 7.20am, or the driver who picked him up.
The hitchhiker was aged between 20 and 25, of slight build with wispy facial hair and wearing a baggy jersey.
Mr Brosnan is in a critical but stable condition on life support in Taranaki Base Hospital but showing signs of improvement.
