Police appeal for help in identifying man's body

File photo / NZ Herald

Police are appealing to the public for information about a man whose decomposing body was found lying near a Waikato railway line two days ago.

Police are investigating after the body was found in vegetation off Shaw Street in Huntly on Tuesday.

The body, which appeared to have been lying on the vacant land for some days, was removed yesterday and taken to Auckland for a postmortem examination.

His identity had not been confirmed, with police saying they would rely heavily on forensic testing to find out who he was.

"This will be a complex and lengthy process and we don't expect any quick results," Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Jones said. "We have a large amount of investigative and forensic work ahead of us."

Forensic testing should help determine how long the body had been in the area.

Police would today continue going door-to-door speaking to residents in the area where the body was found.

Mr Jones encouraged anyone with information to contact police.

"Someone must know what happened to this person and for the sake of his family, we appeal to the community of Huntly to come forward with any information about the man's death," he said.

"We are also interested in hearing about any suspicious activity or incidents that have occurred in the Shaw St area over the past few weeks."

- NZPA