The identity of human remains found at an Auckland property may take weeks to formally identify, police say.
A digger working at the Mt Eden house uncovered bones on Friday, and police later confirmed they were human.
The remains were removed from the Marlborough St property on Monday afternoon and taken to the Auckland Hospital Mortuary. A post mortem began on Tuesday.
"This is meticulous and challenging work for the pathologist and their findings are not expected to be available to police for some time," police said in a statement.
"There are considerable challenges for police who remain open-minded on this point. It is possible that the deceased died some years ago."
Formal identification of the remains will require forensic evidence.
Although police believe extracting DNA from the bones may only take a week or two, identification can only be made if police and Environmental Science and Research (ESR) staff have a comparative DNA sample to match the deceased with.
Police predict it could be "several weeks" before the identity of the person is known. Until then, they won't be speculating on who the person is.
A large piece of concrete was also removed from the property, which ESR scientists will examine over the coming days.
Police are still present at the address and the scene examination is continuing today.
"This is a challenging and complex investigation which is expected to take some time before we are in a position to establish the circumstances surrounding the death," police said.
A karakia is being arranged with the assistance of local Kaumatua.
Police urge the public to contact them if they know any former occupants, owners and residents of the house - which they believe was possibly a former boarding house.
