The investigation into human remains found near Tongariro is now a homicide.
The bones found buried in a shallow grave on Rangipo Intake Road on Tuesday are believed to be that of a Chinese man in his 30s who disappeared in 2017.
On Thursday morning police carried out a scene examination at a McWhirters Farm Lane property in Auckland's Massey while detectives spoke to local residents about previous activity at the address.
The current owners of the Massey property have no connection with the suspected homicide.
While the body is believed to be that of the missing man, police will confirm the identity once the formal identification has been completed.
