KEY POINTS:
The decomposed remains of a body found by pig hunters in the Waitakere ranges may have been in the bush for up to twenty years, police say.
Autopsy results from the post mortem were released today by police after the remains were discovered in dense bush in the Waitakere ranges in the weekend.
The decomposed body was found on Sunday by a group of pig hunters in bush near to the Arataki Information Centre on Scenic Drive.
Detective Sergeant Roger Small of the Waitemate District CIB said the autopsy had determined the remains were those of a strongly built male, whose age was estimated to be in his 40s.
The man was about 172 cm tall, and was most likely European but it could not be ruled out that he may be part Maori.
The man was a smoker.
Police are still investigating when the man died but say they do not believe his death was suspicious.
"We are confident that he died post 1988 so the remains of the deceased have been in the bush for a long time, possibly up to 20 years."
Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the man's death.
Anyone who wants to nominate a person whom they know has been missing since the late 1980s are asked to contact the Henderson Police Station.
"They may well have the essential clue which will help identify this deceased man so that his remains can be buried with dignity."
- NZPA
