Police around the banks of the Tukituki River near Havelock North, near where a burned out car was found. Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
The body found in a burnt out vehicle at Havelock North's River Road Recreational Reserve was that of a woman, police say.
Despite a report being made to police about the vehicle on 3 September, the body inside went unnoticed for two days, which according to police was due to the condition the vehicle was in.
Yesterday, police said they would be reviewing their response.
The death is being treated as unexplained but police said they were keeping an open mind as to what had occurred.
Police today confirmed the body was that of a woman's but forensic testing and formal identification procedures would take some time.
Detective inspector Dave De Lange said police were also looking into a missing person case which they believe may be relevant, "but at this early stage this has not assisted the investigation team".
"We have been carrying out an area canvas and reviewing CCTV footage as we seek to piece together what has led to this incident," De Lange said.
"We want to find out who this woman is and speak with her family.
"This will be devastating news for them and we will be wrapping support around then once we know who they are."
Anyone with information on who the woman might be is asked to call police on 105 quoting file number: 220905/1265. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.