Beard said the victim suffered a number of injuries. The body is expected to be removed later today for post mortem.
"We have found some CCTV and have released photos of a man police believe can help with out investigation," Beard said.
Beard said the CCTV footage came from the apartment complex. Police were unsure if the man in the photos was known to the victim.
Police have spoken to his family today and said they were understandably grieving.
Beard said the man was believed to live alone.
Whether the man in the CCTV footage had been inside the victim's apartment would be part of the investigation.
Earlier, more than 15 police in blue and white overalls and covered shoes scoured a grassy reserve near the block of flats on Great North Rd and forensic officers dusted for fingerprints on a doorway and in the stairwell of the block. Others are interviewing neighbours.
"We are in the very early stages of our investigation and are still in the process of identifying the victim," Beard said.
The block of one- and two-bedroom flats backs onto Ivanhoe Rd, a cul-de-sac near the Northwestern Motorway.
The man lives on third floor of the building closest to the road.
Housing New Zealand would not answer questions about the investigation or what it was doing to ensure the safety of the other tenants.
"Housing New Zealand will not be making any comment on this matter as it is the subject of an ongoing police investigation," communications manager Glenn Conway said.
Anyone with information about the murder, is asked to contact their local police station or Detective Sergeant Phil Cox on (09) 302 6557.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.