KEY POINTS:
Counties Manukau detectives are using a second innovative way of trying to get information on their latest homicide inquiry - this time in the form of billboards.
John Hapeta, 14, was bashed to death by two masked men as he celebrated a birthday party at his Weymouth home on August 12.
Police used a new technique last week when they opened the four-digit text line, 3161 in a bid to elicit information from the younger generation, who use text messaging extensively as a form of communication.
Police believe young people may hold clues to the case.
Yesterday, erected a billboard at the roundabout at the busy Weymouth Rd and Roscommon Rd intersection.
Detective Inspector John Tims told the Herald the billboard was being displayed because officers felt it was important to keep the profile of the inquiry high and to encourage people to come forward with information.
"We are trying new initiatives and so far they are all proving to be pointing us in the right direction," he said.
Officers will also place six sandwich boards, also asking for information on the case, placed around Weymouth.
"This is another way for us to show high visibility in the area," Mr Tims said.
"Using these different approaches will help us reach our target audience, and that is people who knew John or knew the Justamere Place address."
The boards will be placed outside James Cook High School, alongside the mobile police station, at the Clendon Work and Income office, the Clendon Recreation Centre, Mobil Clendon and the BP service station on Weymouth Rd.
Mr Tims said the mobile police station had also been a great source of information for police.
Through it, they had received 20 positive responses from people during the weekend.
The station was parked at the Clendon Shopping Centre area yesterday.
"The investigation team is accessing and working through a large amount of information from the public that was relayed using these forms of communication," he said.
"However, we renew our appeal for people that knew John, his associates, and people that have information about activity at Justamere Place."
* Anyone with information on the case is asked to text 3161 and 0800 JUSTAMERE (0800 587 826). Both numbers are free and confidential.
