Two arrested for murder over body in car

Two people have been arrested for the murder of missing Hamilton man Piki Kingi after his body was found in a car yesterday, having "suffered some serious injuries".

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page said a post-mortem examination was being carried out this morning.

"Those injuries will be the subject of scrutiny during a post-mortem examination being carried out this morning," Mr Page said.

Mr Kingi, 38, had not been seen since 11am last Wednesday, when he filled up his 1992 Mazda MS6 hatchback car at the Caltex Service Station in suburban Hillcrest.

The car was found in Mansel Ave in Hillcrest on Sunday night and Mr Kingi's body was found during a forensic examination of the vehicle.

A 48-year-old Hamilton man and a 45-year-old Hamilton woman were arrested overnight and charged with murder. They will appear in Hamilton District Court this morning.

Mr Page said police expect to make further arrests.

Mr Kingi's disappearance sparked a major forensic examination of a house in Cobham Dr over the weekend.

Mr Page earlier refused to say what was found at the house.

"We've found signs that cause us concern but at this stage I am unable to expand on those because of the nature of the investigation," he told a media conference yesterday.

Up to 30 police and forensic experts have been working at the house since Friday and are expected to be there for the next couple of days.

Police have erected a tent on the front section of the property and spent the weekend scouring the section with garden tools including rakes and spades.

He said police were contacted on Friday that "something was amiss" and staff had spoken to family, friends and neighbours trying to find Mr Kingi.

Two people live at the Cobham Dr address, but it was not Mr Kingi's home.

"We've been speaking to the two occupants of the house. At the time police first arrived there no-one was there."

- NZPA and NEWSTALK ZB