Police have named the 29 year old man who died following an assault outside a liquor store at Taita in Lower Hutt on Friday

Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said he was Faapaia Fonoilaepa - a painter from Avalon.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and the offender had not been found.

They're concentrating on locating the man.

He is described as Maori, of solid build, aged 30-40 years, with dark hair and facial tattoos.

The offender left the scene on foot and walked south, but later returned to the scene before leaving in a silver Toyota Carib station wagon.