Skeleton in creek believed to be female - police

File photo / NZ HERALD

Police believe a badly decomposed body found by schoolchildren in a creek north of Auckland is female.

They are undertaking a scene examination and post mortem after the discovery in Stanmore Bay Creek, Whangaparaoa, last night.

Detective Inspector Bruce Scott is not ruling out the possibility the body is that of 39-year-old Alanah Brough, who was last seen more than six months ago.

"We believe that it could be a female person in the creek, but until we get the identification done we won't know for sure."

It is believed an eight-year-old boy playing in a reserve stumbled upon the skeleton, which had fabric and some hair attached.

A parent tried to fish it out with a broomstick but could not and the police were called.

Mr Scott said the body had been there for at least a few weeks but possibly months.

"It appears to have been there for quite some time. It appears to be quite decomposed."

Mr Scott said police were still looking to talk to witnesses and there was no cause for concern for nearby residents.

Rodney area commander Inspector Janet Hope earlier said police were investigating how the body came to be in the stream. She said there was no indication of its identity.

The creek runs behind the local leisure centre and is next to a rugby league club.

Forensic staff are now at the scene.

- Alanah May Eriksen and Newstalk ZB

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