"I know whatever you're going through, but if you need my help I'll be with you every step of the way, and if you need me to come with you to go into the police station I'll come with you.
"I need you to come forward just to sort this out. Please hun, we need you to come forward. All the family miss you, we love you and want to keep you safe, and we just want to get through this."
Tai's family have been helping police with the investigation.
Mother of two Chozyn Koroheke was killed in Pakuranga Heights last week. Photo / Supplied
This morning, a police spokeswoman said Tai, who has a tattoo on the left side of his neck, is still on the run.
Koroheke, 22, died after she was "shot at close range" at home in what police believe was a "domestic-related incident".
It is understood a tangi for Koroheke was held last Friday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kevin Tiernan, the area manager for Counties Manukau East, suspects the mother of two was shot with a shotgun. The weapon has been recovered by police.
Tai was at the address on the day of the shooting, Tiernan told the press last week.
"We're still investigating the lead up to [the shooting], there doesn't appear to be any incident that we're aware of that would result in this sort of action being taken.
"We're at a loss to explain why [Tai allegedly] took the action that he did."
Tai also has nine warrants for his arrest on several charges, including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, wilful damage and failing to stop for police.
However, the charges are not related to the homicide investigation.
Police at the scene of the shooting along Pakuranga Rd last week. Photo / Greg Bowker
Tiernan said police believe Tai is being assisted by friends and associates.
"We would like to warn the people assisting [Tai] that they are committing a criminal offence, which police treat very seriously, and they're liable to be charged with an offence themselves," he said.
"Someone out there will know where he is and we would appeal to those people to do the right thing, not only for [Tai], but also for Chozyn and her family, and to call the police."
Tai, who police believe may be armed and should not be approached, has links throughout Auckland, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty.
The Herald also understands Tai faced charges following a violent bashing in Tauranga in 2012.
It was reported Tai, then 18, pleaded guilty to injuring with intent to injure in Tauranga District Court after he attacked a man who refused to share a cigarette.
The man was beaten about the head and reportedly lost consciousness before later waking in hospital.
