Suspected human bone found at Whangārei Heads

Aerial view of the Bream Head Scenic Reserve in Whangārei Heads where the bone was found. Photo / File

A mystery bone discovered in a popular coastal reserve in Northland is a suspected historical human remain, police say.

Officers were informed of the bone found around 10.30am in the Bream Head Scenic Reserve in Whangārei Heads.

A police spokesperson said they plan to liaise with Northland iwi Ngātiwai to determine the appropriate tikanga regarding the historical bone.

More details are expected to emerge regarding how the bone was located. The Advocate have contacted Ngātiwai Trust Board for comment.

The Bream Head Scenic Reserve has a rich archaeological landscape due to more than 500 years of Māori occupation.

Two chance discoveries of human bones occurred last year in the Far North. A Northland family walking around the base of Taratara Maunga, near Kaeo, found bones and skulls tucked inside rocks in June.

The discovery prompted a hui with local hapu, Ngati Rangimatamomoe and Ngati Rangimatakaka of Whangaroa, making a collaborative decision to restrict all access to Taratara Maunga to protect the tupuna koiwi - ancestral remains - that are secured within the mountain.

Earlier in February a Whangārei couple holidaying in the Far North made a shocking discovery when they unearthed a nearly intact human skeleton.

Ben Smith and his wife made the unusual find at Long Beach in Russell, uncovering around 20 bones before phoning police who contacted Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga and Kororāreka Marae.

The skeleton has been confirmed as kōiwi (human remains) dating to before the 1830s and was not of concern to police.