KEY POINTS:
Police investigating the murder of Kerikeri teenager Liberty Templeman are looking for her cellphone which has been missing since her death.
The body of the popular 15-year-old, who wanted to be an actress, was found in the Wairoa Stream in Kerikeri on Sunday, nearly 24 hours after she
was reported missing.
Today police said they were seeking information about Liberty's cellphone, which was still missing.
The cellphone is described as a black Nokia, about five to six years old, with a black cover and a cracked screen.
The appeal for information about the cellphone came as the teenager's family released a statement in tribute to her and thanked the Kerikeri community for their support.
"Liberty was staying with family friends in Kerikeri, enabling her to be with a number of her really close friends prior to returning home on Sunday.
"She was looking forward to her first day at Rangitoto College where she had already auditioned for a place in the end of year performance.
"We would like to thank the community of Kerikeri, Libby's friends and police staff for all their efforts."
Earlier her parents, Andrew and Rebecca Templeman called on the hundreds of mourners planning to be at her funeral on Saturday to "come with colour and come with a smile".
Liberty, known as Libby, is likely to be farewelled almost in theatrical style as school friends and fellow cast members from the Kerikeri Players' production of Sinbad the Sailor sing and perform at her funeral.
More than 600 people are expected at The Centre in Kerikeri at 11am on Saturday for the public funeral before Liberty is cremated at a private service.
Funeral director Anthony Kiely said Mr and Mrs Templeman wanted people to remember their daughter as a colourful, bouncy and fun-loving person.
"Their wording (in the death notice) is come with colour and come with a smile to help celebrate her life," Mr Kiely said.
Four days after Liberty was killed, police said their confidence had not wavered that her killer would be found.
"I am confident of that," said Inspector Chris Scahill, the police Far North area commander.
Mr Scahill would not talk about her injuries or if police had found a weapon or if they were looking for a weapon.
"As far as any weapon, any method of death, we are not making any comment in relation to that."
Nor would he say if police have a list of suspects.
"Persons of interest is the term I am using.
"We are speaking to a number of people. As you could appreciate with a matter such as this in a small town we have to cast our net far and wide in an effort to keep our minds open."
He said police now had a "pretty good picture" of her movements but would not elaborate.
He said drugs or alcohol were not involved.
The death of the teenager had had a "huge impact" on her parents, who came to New Zealand from England for a better life.
"They are getting by one day at a time," said Mr Scahill.
Police have completed the scene examination around Cobham Road and are still appealing for any witnesses who may have seen Liberty in the Inlet Road/Cobham Road/Hone Heke Road area, or noticed any suspicious activity on Saturday and Sunday, or have information relating to the cellphone to contact 0800 COBHAM (0800 262 426).
- NZPA