The man’s body was found by a member of the public at Mitimiti, on Northland’s west coast.
Photo: King Tong Ho

Police have identified a man found dead on a remote Far North beach.

The man’s body was found by a member of the public at Mitimiti, on Northland’s west coast, on 19 December, prompting police to call for help identifying him.

In particular, they wanted to hear from anyone who went fishing near Te Pua Pua Creek, just south of the Whangapē Harbour entrance.

A police spokesman said the man had now been identified, and his death had been referred to the Coroner to make a determination on the cause.

A three-day rāhui on fishing and gathering kai moana in the area, declared by the hapū of Mitimiti, Whangapē and Pawarenga, ended on Sunday.

Organisers of the annual Mātihetihe Marae fishing competition said the event would start as planned on 28 December, but fishing would take place outside the rāhui boundaries.

The contest would start with karakia to acknowledge the tūpāpaku (deceased) and whānau pani (wider family).

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.