The student services adviser at International College of Auckland, Linda Chang, said he had been an exemplary student at the college.
"He was a hard worker and he regularly turned up to his classes," she said. "He did good assignments and he had a few friends in his classes."
The college had set up a bank account for students to donate money to, the funds going to Mr Singh's family, according to a spokesperson.
Police do not suspect foul play but Mr Singh's father, Jeet Singh - from Karnal, Haryana, north of New Delhi - told local media he believed his son's death was suspicious.
"My nephew Navneet Singh called me at around 4am today about this tragic incident," he told the Hindustan Times yesterday.
"Manjeet called us yesterday to inform that he was leaving to meet a relative in the vicinity. But he never reached there and his body was found nearly 40km away from his apartment."
Jeet Singh said he expected his son's body to arrive in India within 12 days.
Detective Sergeant James Robson said: "At this stage there is no indication of anything sinister or anything like that.
"We're just trying to trace his movements and ascertain how he ended up where he ended up.
"We are in the early stages of the investigation."
Mr Robson described Mr Singh as wearing jeans and a black and red checked shirt.
Police had been in contact with Mr Singh's next of kin in New Zealand and his family in India had also been notified.
