Close friends and family have gathered at the parents' house of a man who died at an Auckland park

They spoke highly of Samiuela Tupou, known as Sam - the 21-year-old shot dead during the early hours of yesterday morning at Seaside Park in Otahuhu.

Police were called to the scene at 4.40am.

Detective Senior Sergeant Darrell Harpur says it appears Mr Tupou did not know the offender.

Mr Harpur says police are determined to find those responsible, and is asking for anyone with information to come forward.

They are particularly interested in a light or gold-coloured people mover, similar to a Honda Odyssey, that was in the South Auckland area on Friday night or early Saturday morning.