15 Jan 2022

Remains found in a Northland forest identified

2:11 pm on 15 January 2022

Police believe they have established the identity of the person whose remains were found in Diggers Valley, in Kaitāia, on Monday.

The death is not being treated as suspicious, police say. (File pic) Photo:

Forestry workers found the skeletal remains in an isolated forestry block.

It appeared the remains had been at the site for some time and they were taken to a pathologist in Whangārei for examination.

Police said in a statement today that they have informed family members.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and is being referred to the Coroner.

Human remains were also found on Leithfield Beach in North Canterbury earlier this month.

Police said they belonged to an adult. Officers spent several days scouring the coastline.

Police are working with the coroner to formally identify the remains and determine the cause of death, a spokesperson said earlier this week.