Auckland Police are hunting a man with a hunched back as their search continues for the suspects in the deadly double shooting.
They have confirmed the victim as 28-year-old Eplahame Tu'uheava, whose partner is recovering from gunshot wounds in hospital.
Detectives are appealing for the public's help to catch two Tongan men after the execution-style killing of Mr Tu'uheava who was shot in the head on a lonely road in Mangere.
His wife Mele survived a gunshot to her upper body.
"We believe there might be something a lot more sinister with the offenders. The way they've shot and killed a victim, the way they've injured the other victim, we believe there's a lot more to it," said Detective Inspector Tofilau Faa Vaaelua of Counties Manukau CIB.
A photo including Mr Tu'uheava was eerily posted online just hours before he was killed.
A gang member, family man and friend, Mr Tu'uheava's death has caused ripples of anger amongst his circle.
Fellow Crips gang member and musician Konecs Fukofuka is struggling with the violence of his best friend's murder.
"I felt like I lost a real brother. Whoever they are, that's something they gotta live with now, taking someone's life. You're going to hell mate, I'll see you there," Mr Fukofuka said.
That dude loved his family, especially his son and his partner Mele"
Konecs Fukofuka, fellow Crips gang member, musician and best friend
Sources have told 1 NEWS that the victim had been warned that a hit had been ordered on him by another gang in Australia.
Word on the street is that the two Tongans flew from Australia to New Zealand to execute him.
But police still don't know who the killers are and are appealing to the public for help.
"At this stage they're described only as one being older than the other, and one being taller than the other. The taller one possibly has a little bit of a hunchback," Mr Vaaelua said.
Mr Tu'uheava, his wife Mele and young son moved back to New Zealand from Australia last year.
"If he was to choose everything else or his family, he will pick his family, ay. That dude loved his family, especially his son and his partner Mele," Mr Fukofuka said.
Videos of Mr Tu'uheava show a man enjoying the good life and holidays with his family.
On Thursday his musician friends gathered to remember a song they had recorded with him.
"Devastating. And everyone will be heartbroken and sad. I mean even us who do music with him, like, it's so surreal for us," said singer Lady Fatz.
As the mourning begins, the police investigation into who killed Eplahame Tu'uheava and why is far from over.