The police officers trying to establish the circumstances that led up to the death of 29-year-old Ira Shephard in Tauranga are encouraged by the public response to a media appeal.
Mr Shephard was found dead on Saturday in Tauranga Harbour.
His death is being treated as unexplained as opposed to suspicious and police are trying to trace his movements and ascertain his state of mind leading up to his death.
"The last known sighting of Ira had been from an associate who saw him on Friday, 30 November. As a result of yesterday's appeal we now know that he was spotted by an old school friend in downtown Tauranga around 10am on Saturday, 1 December", said Detective Sergeant Iain Chapman.
"Every little piece of information like this helps us to build up a picture of his last movements. More importantly it will help us to establish how and when he died so that we can provide some answers and some comfort to Ira's family", he said.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Iain Chapman at Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300.
Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
