Police step up inquiry into fatal hit and run

Police are stepping up their efforts to find the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run north of Auckland last month.

Graham Robinson died in hospital a day after the bicycle he was riding was hit by a white utility vehicle about 8.50am on October 14 on Peak Rd, Kaukapakapa, 69km northwest of Auckland.

Efforts to find the driver have failed and Waitemata police have decided to increase staff numbers to 20.

Police are also increasing their focus on finding the vehicle which struck Dr Robinson, described as a white Toyota Hilux utility with a white or off white canopy and the word "Toyota" in black across the rear tray.

"The vehicle elimination phase involves tracing the owners and drivers of all white Toyota Hilux utility vehicles that frequent the Rodney region," inquiry head Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong said.

"Police are confident that this systematic process will lead to the driver of the vehicle involved in this tragic incident being identified."

Mr Armstrong said analysis to date suggested it was possible the driver did not target Dr Robinson and may have either temporarily lost control or did not see him until it was too late to avoid him.

"If this is the case then it is in the driver's interest to make contact with the investigation team before they make the call.

"The longer it takes for someone to come forward, the greater the shadow of suspicion falls over them."

Drivers of similar vehicles which were in the Rodney District on the day in question but which were not involved in the collision are asked to contact police to help eliminate them from the inquiry.