A homicide investigation has been launched after human remains were found in the water off Gulf Harbour on Tuesday afternoon.
Inspector Tim Williams says the victim is a female of Asian-descent, possibly Chinese.
"At this stage, we have not been able to confirm the identity of the victim," he said, adding she was also small in stature.
"Police are asking anyone who may have information on a woman matching the description who they have concerns for to please get in touch.
“Our priority will be to then identify and notify the victim’s next-of-kin.”
Williams said the investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances of her death.
“We understand there is significant public interest in this matter, however until we have made further inquiries, we will not be speculating on what has occurred.
“Police appreciate this is very unsettling for both the Gulf Harbour and wider community and we reiterate we do not believe there is a wider risk to the public in relation to this death.”
He added the investigation team is "working hard to piece together the information received so far, and are continuing to appeal to the public for any other information relevant to our inquiries".
RNZ reported on Tuesday that Paul Middleton was fishing in the Whangaparāoa area when he discovered the human remains wrapped in rubbish bags.
He had gone to Army Bay that morning, but had not found much fish so he came back around to the ferry terminal.
"I [threw] my lure out ... and nothing much was happening but there was a bag out there."
Middleton said he did not know it was a bag at the time, and told RNZ he thought it was a log or a dead animal.
He said he struggled through "layer and layer" of plastic to open the bag and "lo and behold, a hand appears".
Police want to hear from anyone who was near the water in the last few days, or in the Gulf Harbour area, who saw anything suspicious.
“No piece of information is insignificant as we work to determine exactly what has occurred,” Williams said.
Police can be contacted via their 105 phone service or online, reference file number 240312/9837.
Information can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
SHARE ME