A team of approximately 38 Police staff are working on a homicide investigation which has been launched in Rotorua following the discovery of the body in Kuirau Park at approximately 1:30am this morning.
The Bay of Plenty Police District Field Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Mark Loper, says the body of a man was located by members of the public, who notified Police and medical staff.
Detective Inspector Loper says the man had suffered serious injuries, however, it is too early in the investigation to be able to provide further details about the nature of those injuries or the potential cause of death.
He says ESR staff arrived at the scene just before midday and will undertake a forensic scene examination over the next 24 hours. He says the body may be removed this afternoon.
He says a post mortem will be undertaken in Auckland tomorrow to determine the cause of death and to potentially confirm the identity of the man.
"Police have some strong leads in relation to the man's identity, however, it may be that it is not possible to formally confirm this until the post mortem is undertaken.
"We can say that the man is Caucasian and aged in his 60s. We believe that he had temporarily moved to Rotorua and that he was not a tourist."
Detective Inspector Loper says an extensive cordon is in place around Kuirau Park while Police and SAR volunteers undertake a comprehensive search of the area. He says Police staff are also undertaking a wide canvass of Kuirau Park and its surrounding areas.
"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the Kuirau Park area last evening or during the night, or from anyone who may have noticed something suspicious around the area or amongst their friends, family or acquaintances overnight or today.
"If anyone has any information, no matter how small it may seem, please contact Rotorua Police on 07 348 0099. People can also provide information anonymously via the independent Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111."
Detective Inspector Loper says Police are keeping an open mind about the possible motives and circumstances that have led to the homicide.
"We are confident that the incident is not gang-related, but we are exploring all possibilities, including whether the incident is related to family violence, robbery or drugs."
Detective Inspector Loper says Kuirau Park will remain cordoned off for most of today (Tuesday), however, he says Police will reduce the size of the cordons as soon as possible over the coming days.
"It is critical that we locate, preserve and recover any items that may be linked to this incident and there is a great deal of work to be done today and in the coming days in order to do that.
"We are asking members of the public to avoid the area until the cordons are reduced and/or removed."
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Contact:
Jacky James
District Communications Manager
Phone: 027 215 6870