Human bones found in dense bush near Piha are pre-European and not those of a victim of foul play.
They were found by a man off a walking track and were yesterday returned there during a small service to bless them and the site.
Senior Sergeant Richard Kapa, of Waitemata police, said an examination showed they were ancient Maori bones, or koiwi.
He confirmed there were other human bones at the site but said they were not "numerous".
Local iwi Te Kawerau a Maki arranged a group of people including police and whanau of the person who found the koiwi to attend the blessing.
