A hunter found a body in a remote area of bush in the Te Puru Forks yesterday. Due to the remoteness of the body, a scene guard was placed at the area overnight until police could access it today.
Police today said the were conducting a scene examination of the area after the body was retrieved.
A post-mortem will now be completed tomorrow to confirm the cause of death.
"Until formal identification has taken place and next of kin have been advised, there is no further information available at this time."
The Te Puru Forks is a popular Department of Conservation walking track which also has swimming holes.
It is about an hour's walk off the Thames Coast Rd.
Police are continuing investigations into the 56-year-old's whereabouts after she was reported missing in early February.
Gibbons told the Herald he exchanged text messages with his sister on the morning of January 31.
"All seemed perfectly normal. That is the last contact I had with her," he said.
"Needless to say, we are very concerned and, given the time that has passed since Ann was last seen, somewhat fearful as to what may have happened. However, there is little we can do other than hope for the best."
It became apparent Bunning was missing when staff at the holiday park discovered she hadn't paid rent and her personal belongings were still inside her tent.
