The body of a woman found beside an isolated rural road west of Huntly overnight was removed from the scene this afternoon while an examination of the area continues.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said the body of the slim, young, yet to be identified woman was removed from Hangapipi Rd shortly before 5pm following a blessing of the scene by Police Kaumatuas.
"The woman's body is on its way to Auckland where a post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow.
"While this is going on the scene examination will continue and is likely to take a number of days. Residents affected by the necessary closure of the road are being given access to their properties to allow them to pick up clothing and take care of other urgent matters."
Mr Keall said the woman's passing was being treated as a sudden death which are all treated as suspicious until the scene examination and post-mortem could suggest otherwise.
"A priority for the investigation team is to identify who this woman is so as to be able to not only progress our enquiry but so as to be able to notify her next of kin.
"This person is someone's daughter and we need to be able to bring her home. For that reason anyone with any information on her identity or what may have occurred is asked to contact the Huntly Police Station on 07 8287560."
Alternatively Mr Keall said information can be left anonymously on the CrimeStoppers crimeline, 0800 555111.
Note to media; There are a number of media at the cordon in an area of low light on a busy road. Staff of Police vehicles leaving the scene report a close call with media standing in the middle of the intersection. In the interests of health and safety all media attending the scene are reminded of their requirements to wear the correct hi-visibility attire while on or by the road.
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