Police step up hunt for Auckland hit and run driver

Police have stepped up their search for the driver of a white ute who ran over an Auckland doctor before leaving him for dead.

Dr Graham Robinson was cycling along Peak Rd in Helensville on October 14 when he was struck by what police say was a white Toyota Hilux.

The driver failed to stop.

Dr Robinson died in hospital the following day.

Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong said there were now 20 police officers working on the case as they tried to identify the vehicle.

He said they were keeping an open mind as to the cause of the accident.

"A detailed scene examination and thorough analysis of collated information shows that it is conceivable that the driver involved did not intentionally target Dr Robinson."

"It is equally conceivable that the driver either temporarily lost control or did not see the deceased until it was too late to avoid him."

"If this is the case then it is in the driver's interest to make contact with the investigation team before they make the call. The longer it takes for someone to come forward, the greater the shadow of suspicion falls over them," Mr Armstrong said.

The new staff were helping identify all vehicles matching the description that frequented the Rodney area, he said.

Mr Armstrong urged the owner - or owners - of the vehicle involved to come forward.

The vehicle was described as a 1980s or 1990s model white Toyota Hilux with a white or off-white canopy.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on their free calling line 0508 732 573 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.