A house in the suburb of Hillcrest in Hamilton where suspected human remains were found during excavation work on 18 June 2024. Photo: RNZ / Natalie Akoorie
Construction workers found the remains while on the job at a Hillcrest property on Tuesday afternoon.
"Police were notified of what appeared to be human remains discovered at a Hillcrest, Hamilton property, which had been unearthed by an excavator during construction work," senior sergeant Leo Belay said.
The excavation work was taking place at the back of the property.
A scene investigation is underway.
"Investigation staff will work to determine if the remains are human and how old they are, which may take some time," he said.
Throughout the day police detectives and ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research) scientists have arrived en masse at the scene.
Neighbour Masud Rahman said he had lived in the cul-de-sac for eight years and had never seen police in it before.
Rahman said it was normally a quiet neighbourhood and his teenage daughter had been scared to walk to school this morning.
"The police were sleeping here last night. It's not a normal situation here."
He did not know the homeowners and it appeared they were not home.
An overnight scene guard was called in and Hillcrest residents should expect an increased police presence in the area, Belay said.