Burnt woman's uncle 'very shocked'

Ranjeeta Sharma, pictured with her son (top left) and her car (below), which was left at Auckland Airport. Photos / Supplied

The family of a young mother burnt to death in the Waikato have been stunned by her death.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ranjeeta Sharma was found near the township of Rotowaro, 10km west of Huntly last Thursday.

Police today confirmed they had tracked down her husband Diwesh Kumar Sharma in Fiji.

He had left New Zealand with son Akash, 4, on Friday - one day after the murder took place.

A Fijian police spokesman said Akash was with relatives in Rakiraki District while Mr Sharma, known to his friends as Daniel, continues to be questioned by police.

Police said today that son Akash was is in good health and staying with family in Fiji.

Ranjeeta's uncle Rohit Kishore told One News this evening that his family was horrified by what had happened.

"We are very, very shocked. Such a thing has never happened in our family.. it's tough particularly on my sister, who is the mother of the girl," Mr Kishore said.

He said the couple had married around six years ago in an arranged marriage. At first they seemed happy but after they came to New Zealand the marriage began having problems, he said.

Mrs Sharma worked at Middlemore Hospital and was studying to become a nurse. Her nursing tutor and friend Sue Rosewarne told One News Mrs Sharma was determined to succeed.

"I used to tell her the world was her oyster and she would smile," said Ms Rosewarne. "She would have made an excellent nurse."

Mrs Sharma's remains will reportedly be flown home to her family in Fiji on Thursday.

Fijian locals help in manhunt

Community members helped police track Mr Sharma down at a house in a sparsely populated farming district last night, the Fiji police spokesman said.

"Fiji is a small place. Everyone knows each other. People here in the community immediately knew who that man was," Waikato CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said.

Mr Keall said his son was found when Fijian police located his father.

"The boy's father is a person of interest in relation to the homicide inquiry into the death of his wife, 28-year-old Ranjeeta Sharma of South Auckland, whose body was found west of Huntly Thursday night.

"Our inquiry is continuing and we are seeking further clarification from Fiji Police of the circumstances surrounding the father being located."

Mr Keall earlier said Mr Sharma was "a person of considerable significance" to the investigation into Mrs Sharma's murder.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed New Zealand has an agreement with Fiji allowing for the extradition of anyone charged or convicted of murder.

Mrs Sharma was found burning on the side of Hangapipi Rd by a passing motorist at 10:05pm on Thursday.

Police launched a homicide investigation after a post-mortem revealed she was alive when she was set on fire.

An accelerant was used to start the fire, police said.

Mr Sharma left his wife's silver Subaru station wagon, registration FSD433, at Auckland Airport on Friday.

The car is being forensically tested.