A homicide inquiry has been launched in Gisborne into the disappearance of an Indian man.
Amandeep Singh was last seen on the night of 29 December last year and his Mazda car was found abandoned the following morning in an empty section in the suburb of Kaiti.
The 22-year-old has been the subject of a missing person inquiry since but on Thursday police upgraded it to a homicide inquiry.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Ford said police believe that Mr Singh is dead and their aim is to find his body to return it to his family.
Extra detectives and forensic scientists have been brought in to help with the inquiry.
Police said Mr Singh's family in India are desperate for news about what has happened to their son.
