Human remains have been discovered on an island off Northland's east coast, prompting a police investigation.
Police were called to Coppermine Island (Mauipane), east of Whangārei, this afternoon after the remains were found.
Officers have since recovered the remains and begun a formal identification process.
"At this early stage, police are unable to advise how long the remains may have been on the island. The formal identification process is expected to take some time and no further information is available at this time," a spokesperson for police said.
The island is part of the Hen and Chicken Islands group, which lies about 40km south-east of Whangārei and has been a nature reserve since the early 1900s.
Landing requires DOC permission and strict biosecurity protocols.
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