A wedding guest is dead after being hit by a car on his way home from a reception at Matangi, south of Hamilton, early on Sunday morning.
William Hoskins, 26, of Hastings, was found barely breathing by a passing motorist just 150 metres from the wedding venue about 4:45am.
A St John ambulance spokesman said the man, who was wearing a suit, suffered multiple injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle.
He died soon after paramedics arrived at the scene.
The man was a guest at a wedding held at the home of Tina and Richard Cameron, who live on Marychurch Road, Matangi, The New Zealand Herald reports.
The Cameron family have declined to comment on the incident and have spray-painted a "Private, No trespassing" sign on their gate.
Det Snr Sgt Karl Thornton says police would like to speak to anyone who was in the Marychurch Rd area between 4:30am and 5:30am on Sunday.
“We have completed a scene examination on a large section of road and grass area where the man was found. We have also spoken to a number of residents and people living in the area. During those enquiries we have established that two wedding functions were being held close by to where the deceased was found.
"The vehicle would have sustained substantial frontal damage and I urge anyone who is aware of any recent damage to vehicles to come forward and contact the Hamilton Police or contact the Crimestoppers line confidentially. There has been a significant impact and the driver of the vehicle would be in no doubt that they have hit something."
If anyone has any information please contact Mr Thornton at Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 8586200 or alternatively leave information anonymously on the CrimeStoppers crime line, 0800 555111.
NZN / 3 News