Police have charged a 65-year-old man with murder after a body was located in Northland's Waipoua Forest this afternoon.
The body was found in the Waipoua Forest near State Highway 12, Waimamaku. Photo: RNZ/Susan Murray
The body was found near State Highway 12, Waimamaku, and is believed to be that of Northland woman Gaelene Bright, who was last spoken to at her home address in the early hours of 1 May.
"A scene guard is currently in place in the area and Police will not be in a position to release any further details of the victim until formal identification takes place," Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry said in a statement.
Over the last five days, a large search operation has been conducted in the Waimamaku region and Waipoua Forest involving police investigators, police dogs, and civilian search and rescue teams.
The scene examination was underway and police were also conducting a scene examination at the victim's home, Verry said.
It was a tragic situation and police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the inciden, he said.
Police are still making enquiries into the movements of Gaelene Bright's vehicle, a white 2000 Holden Rodeo 4x4 with the registration number YW7634, between Northland and Te Kuiti on 3 and 4 May.
Anyone who has seen this vehicle or has any information regarding it is asked to call police on 105 quoting file number 220511/2799 or Operation Bright.