Arrested man found dead in Taranaki

A 46-year-old Taranaki man who was arrested yesterday evening for violence-related offences was found dead in Stratford this morning.

The unemployed man, from Manaia, 15km northwest of Hawera, was arrested by Stratford police about 8.30pm.

There were clear indications he had been drinking, and police dealt with him at the station before he was bailed at 10.50pm, Inspector Frank Grant said.

The man was left outside the police station and told a police car would take him home but when the car got to the front of the station they could not find him.

There were no fears for his safety, Mr Grant said.

"We just thought he had walked off, so found his own way home," he said.

His body was found behind a bank in Stratford at 6.30am today.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to his death.

- NZPA