Suspect car found after hit-and-run death of Laura Te Rore near Ohaeawai

The release of this CCTV image last Thursday has led to a breakthrough as police investigate a fatal hit and run. Photo / Supplied

The owner of a car thought to have been involved in a fatal hit and run has come forward after police released a CCTV image of the suspect vehicle.

Laura Te Rore, 67, was on State Highway 12 about 1km from Ohaeawai, walking towards Kaikohe, when she was struck by a car about 11pm on Friday, September 22. The car failed to stop and Mrs Te Rore died at the scene.

She had been travelling home to Kaikohe with her sister, a cousin, brother and two friends when they stopped briefly by the roadside.

Last Thursday police released a CCTV image of a silver or grey Toyota Estima or similar vehicle which passed through Ohaeawai around that time. As a result the owner of the vehicle contacted police on Friday, Detective Sergeant Sam Bindon said.

The owner had been interviewed and the vehicle had been examined by a specialist investigator from the police serious crash unit. The car underwent further analysis by ESR forensic experts yesterday.

Mr Bindon said enquiries were ongoing but police weren't looking for any other vehicles at this stage. Once those inquiries were complete police would make "an assessment of liability".

"I want to thank those members of the public who've come forward with information. People are obviously concerned about what's happened."

Mr Bindon said he still wanted to talk to anyone else travelling between Ohaeawai and Kaikohe about 11pm on September 22, even if they didn't see the incident, or anyone with information about it.