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Police are now treating a suspicious house fire earlier this month, in which a person was killed, as a homicide.
A body was found at a house in Waitaanga in the Ruapehu District on the morning of 12 October, following a blaze.
The victim's identity is still being worked out, but after a post-mortem, police on Friday said their death was being treated as suspicious.
"We know this will be of concern to people in Waitaanga and Police have had an increased presence in the area as the investigation progresses," Detective Inspector Brent Mataku said.
"We are continuing to make enquiries, but also want to encourage anyone with information to get in contact with us. Even the smallest detail could be a missing piece of the puzzle that brings justice for the deceased."