Over a year since 18-year-old Ariki Rigby's body was found in a burnt-out car in Hawke's Bay, police say an investigation is still facing resistance from people in the community who "know what happened".
Rigby's body was found in September last year. She was from Napier and was found dead in Havelock North.
Her body wasn't discovered until two days after police first examined the burnt-out vehicle in a riverside car park, due to the car's condition and debris from the fire.
"Police investigating the murder of Ariki Rigby remain committed to delivering justice for her," Detective Inspector Dave de Lange said. "This is the second Christmas Ariki's whānau have been without her, without knowing who carried out this senseless and cruel act, and why.
"A team of experienced detectives in Hawke's Bay continue the painstaking work to find those answers and bring closure for Ariki's whānau," he added.
However, those detectives are facing resistance: "Individuals within the Hawke's Bay community know what happened, or could help our investigation, but they are refusing to interact with police.
"Investigators are making slow but steady progress to break that silence, including reinterviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence and following new leads.
"This is meticulous work and remains incredibly sensitive because of the secrecy from those who refuse to come forward.
"We urge them to think of Ariki's grieving whānau this Christmas and do the right thing and talk to police."
The police update comes after Rigby's family have previously issued emotional statements.
Over a year ago, at the site where her sister's body was found, Anaherā Rigby shared a heartfelt plea for justice with 1News.
"We'd like to know anything that anybody knows, anything what happened to my sister because my sister didn't deserve to die like that, nobody, nobody deserves that, I can't rest, we can't rest," Anaherā said.
"She was beautiful, she had a beautiful smile and I'll never get to see that beautiful smile again and it breaks my heart every day.
"My baby sister is gone, those people out there, they get to go to sleep at night and rest, but we don't, we don't, and we would love to because my sis would want us to be strong."
A moving haka was performed at Rigby's tangi. Anaherā was involved in a march on Parliament earlier this year, calling for justice.
Officers initially mistook Rigby's body for that of a sheep, she said.
Police have previously said gang fears are stopping people with information from coming forward.
Anyone with information was urged to call 105 and quote file number 220905/1265. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
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