Whakatane police want the public's help to establish what happened to Hawea Vercoe.

The 36 year-old Environment Bay of Plenty councillor, member of Rotorua District Council's Te Arawa Standing committee and Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Rotoiti principal was killed in the early hours of this morning.

'The Strand' in Whakatane has been cordoned off since for forensic examination, and police are being assisted by the ESR. Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen says it appears that some sort of fight broke out which resulted in Mr Vercoe being punched to the ground. Mr Standen says they believe this caused his death.

Police are particularly keen to speak to the drivers and occupants of five vehicles who drove past the 'Quart' Bar at 2.30am as the incident was unfolding.

They include a silver BMW, a light coloured Subaru station wagon, a 2-door light-coloured Japanese Import, a 4-door utility and a light-coloured Toyota Altezza motor vehicle.

Other witnesses have been assisting police with their inquiries. A post mortem examination will be carried out on Mr Vercoe tomorrow morning.