Authorities are trying to establish whether one of two people shot dead in Libya is a New Zealander
The bodies were found on Thursday outside a large oil and gas complex near the town of Zuwarah, on the western coast of Libya, and 100km west of the capital Tripoli.
The gas and oil complex is co-owned by Italian company ENI. Photo: AFP
It is believed that the New Zealand woman and a British man were teachers.
The BBC reports that the bodies were found next to their luggage with their belongings untouched and that the motive for the killings remains unclear.
The security situation has deteriorated in the north African country in recent months, and is particularly dangerous in the eastern city of Benghazi, with Islamist militia blamed for almost daily attacks.
A spokesperson for New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Friday that the bodies are still being formally identified.
MFAT said it is working with the relevant authorities in Libya to confirm details, but the 11-hour time difference means they may not have any updated information until Saturday morning.
There are five New Zealanders registered as being in Libya and MFAT staff are trying to contact them.
Britain's Foreign Office said it is urgently seeking further information from the authorities in Libya.
In December last year, a US teacher was shot dead in Benghazi, after which the Foreign Office said further attacks against Westerners were likely and could be opportunistic.