Reward announced in investigation into Hunter hit and run tragedy

Victim: New Zealand man Ian Pullen, 43, died last September after an apparent hit and run at Glenridding, near Singleton. Police and Mr Pullen's family are renewing their appeal for information.

It has been a year of hell for a New Zealand family who lost their loved one in tragic circumstances in the Hunter Valley.

It will be 12 months on Sunday since the lifeless body of respected helicopter pilot Ian Pullen was found on the side of the road at Glenridding near Singleton - the victim of a hit and run.

Police on Friday announced a $350,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for taking Mr Pullen's life.

The 43-year-old had been in Australia helping firefighters prepare for last year's bushfire season when he was struck by a vehicle in the early hours of the morning.

Going through hell: Ian Pullen's mother Gill and brother Guy speak ahead of the one year anniversary of the New Zealand pilot's death in the Hunter. Picture: Simone De Peak.

His mother Gill and brother Guy travelled to Newcastle this week to appeal for information that could bring answers for the family.

"Up until 12 months ago, I had three sons," Mrs Pullen said on Friday.

"Ian was a caring husband, he had three beautiful children and he was a man who cared so much for other people that he would put his life at risk to come over and fight fires here in Australia."

Mrs Pullen, who wears a locket with her son's ashes around her neck, spoke of the continuing grief the family was suffering.

Mr Pullen and his wife Vicki.

"If anybody knows anything, come forward so we can get some closure," she said.

"Vicki [Mr Pullen's widow] can't go forward, she can't even come over this weekend because she's not coping. Her children are not coping.

"This last 12 months has been hell, it really has. A part of me feels like it's missing something.

"Somebody coming forward, that's not going to give him back to me, but at least we might get some closure and we can actually start getting on with our lives."

A similar model to the vehicle police are looking for in relation to the hit and run.

Hunter Valley police district crime manager Detective Acting inspector Steve Benson said police were following several lines of inquiry and were interested in information about a white dual cab ute believed to be linked to the incident - which police say would have suffered visible damage.

"We do believe there are people out there in the community who do have information directly relating to the incident or have information post incident," he said.

"They're the people we're making this appeal to, to come forward."

Anyone with information about Mr Pullen's death can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.