1.00pm - By RENEE KIRIONA
Residents of a rural Hawkes Bay community want Jack Nicholas' killer to know they are angry.
More than 80 people living in and near Puketitiri, 60kms north of Napier, gathered today.
Pam Turner, a close friend of Mr Nicholas, who was cold bloodedly shot down at his farm last Friday, said the community was still in pain over his death.
"We're all in pain and are extremely angry. How dare someone come in here and do that to Jack. He was a decent bloke."
Police officers, detectives and a victim support volunteer also attended the meeting organised by local resident Helen Halliday.
"I saw that some people weren't handling things well. Some of the farmers, grown men, have been bursting into tears because of this."
Halfway through the meeting the media were asked to leave so that residents could express their concerns among themselves.
The meeting at Patoka Memorial Hall, 30 kilometres south of Mr Nicholas' farm, started at 12.15pm.
Senior constable Robbie Campbell told those at the meeting that the inquiry needed their help in order to be successful.
"We need all of you if we are to find Jack's killer."
The residents were asked to give details of their vehicles to the police, if they had not already done so, to eliminate them from several suspicious vehicles.
The investigation is in its sixth day and there are still no firm leads. Police are concentrating on talking with people who have been mentioned in Mr Nicholas' diaries and other farm records.
Hundreds of people are expected to attend Mr Nicholas' funeral tomorrow in Taradale, near Napier.
Community gathers as hunt for farmer's killer continues
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