Police say strong "lines of enquiry" are being followed regarding the death of a person in Hastings, whose body was found in a burnt-out car earlier this week in what's being described as an "abhorrent act".
Emergency services were notified of a car fire at an orchard on Irongate Rd West at 8:20 pm Tuesday.
"The formal identification process remains ongoing, as such we aren't in a position to release any information about the deceased, including the cause of death," Det Insp Marty James said on Friday.
"We are continuing to piece together what happened and it is only a matter of time before we identify and locate those involved."
Police confirmed on Thursday the death was being treated as suspicious.
"This was an abhorrent act and we are determined to hold those responsible to account," James said.
"A large team of investigators are working to find answers for the deceased’s whānau including determining what occurred."
Officers on Friday were forensically examining the vehicle, which had been removed from the scene, James said.
"We are a dedicated team working to locate those involved, if you know who was involved do not take it into your own hands, contact police or come into the Hastings police station."
