The Asian man found dead on August 8 at the Newmarket Railway Station has been identified as Kozo Arita, a 54 year-old Japanese national.
Mr Arita’s next of kin in Japan have been advised of his death.
Police were able to identify Kozo Arita through fingerprints, which were distributed to a number of Asian countries. Earlier this month, Interpol in Tokyo advised local Police they had a match. The New Zealand Police fingerprint section later verified that information.
Mr Arita was employed as a chef in a Japanese restaurant in the city and arrived in New Zealand in November 2001. It’s believed he lived alone.
Constable Grant Harris of the Newmarket Police said he was relieved to have been able to identify Mr Arita and thanked the media and Japanese authorities for their invaluable assistance.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz