Police in Waikato have seized a car they believe may hold crucial evidence to a fatal drive-by shooting in Waharoa.
Desmond Arahanga, 28, died at the scene in Waharoa in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A blue 1994 Subaru Legacy Brighton was found in Matamata overnight and police believe it was used by those involved in the shooting.
They say the car matches the description given by numerous witnesses and it is undergoing examination.
Jared Apiata, 23, appeared in court on Monday charged with assaulting Mr Arahanga.
Meanwhile, police say three of its officers investigating the shooting were rugby-playing mates of Mr Arahanga.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Nicholls says the men's training allows them to remain professional during the inquiry.
Two of the local Matamata officers played alongside Mr Arahanga on Saturday in the Waikato premier B rugby final. A third officer in the team was not able to play.
Two of the officers were among the first on the scene after the shooting and one of them attempted to resuscitate Mr Arahanga.
Mr Nicholls says that in a small community there was always a good chance that emergency service personnel at an incident might know those involved.
Mr Arahanga died after he was shot several times outside a property on McGowan Street. Police say Mr Arahanga had had a disagreement with a group of men on Saturday evening.
They say he was standing outside the McGowan Street property, when a vehicle pulled up and a number of shots were fired from it, hitting him repeatedly in the upper torso.
Police believe some of the people involved in the incident are gang members, though they do not think it is gang related.
After the shooting, the armed offenders squad secured a property in nearby Hedley Street, which went up in flames about 9.30pm on Sunday. The house was empty at the time.
Local people say the fire was likely to have been retribution for the shooting.
Police are not ruling out more charges and further arrests.
