Police are continuing to investigate the unexplained death of a man after he was found on Otaki Beach around 8am this morning by a member of the public.
A section of the beach is still cordoned off and Police along with forensic specialists are conducting a scene examination which is expected to run into this evening.
Central District Criminal Investigations Manager, Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said: "We are treating the death as unexplained at this stage and we intend to remove the man's body from the beach by the end of the day and formally identify him. Once this is done and we have informed his next of kin, a post-mortem will take place."
"Officers are making area inquires and speaking to people that were walking on the beach this morning.
"At this stage we are in the early days of our investigation. There is still a lot of information we don't have and we are working to ascertain what has happened to the man," said Mr Bensemann.
Further updates will be released once more information becomes available.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.