Homicide investigation launched in Otago

Police have set up a cordon at Warrington Domain near where the body was found. Photo / Craig Baxter

A homicide investigation has been launched after a young man's body was found on an Otago beach this morning.

The body was found by two people just before 8am in the Blueskin Bay Estuary near the township of Warrington, about 20km north of Dunedin.

"The scene has been secured by police and a forensic examination of the area is under way," Detective Senior Sergeant Kallum Croudis said.

The body was yet to be identified, although police were following an positive line of inquiry.

A post mortem examination would be carried out this evening.

"At this early stage police are unable to give details of the injuries sustained by the deceased. It is also too early to draw any conclusions about where the young man may have died."

Thirty police officers were working on the case, Mr Croudis said.

"This will increase to around 40 people over the weekend when ESR scientists and specialist search staff will be deployed to assist in the scene examination."

Police were keeping an open mind about whether the death happened where the body was found or at another location, Mr Croudis said.

He said earlier that local people did not need to be concerned for their safety.

- NZPA