Tauranga police were last night confident they would soon uncover the identity of a woman found dead in the Kopurererua Stream.
Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said police were trying to track down possible relatives of the woman, believed to be aged between 65 and 75. The family members are believed to be living out of town.
"We have not yet positively identified the lady but we are following some excellent information, which we are pursuing," Mr Turner said.
The woman's body was found by a passerby in the stream near Waihi Rd about 6.15am. The site was adjacent to the Daisy Hardwick walking track. Police said the woman was of a slight build with short, grey hair. She was wearing a black jacket and navy blue or black polar fleece vest, sleeveless, with denim three-quarter pants and black shoes. She was not carrying any identification.
"We believe she has been dead a short while." Mr Turner said.
The death was not being treated as suspicious. Tauranga resident Lindsay Richards received a call from his wife who saw police officers gathering around a blue tarpaulin on the Daisy Hardwick Walkway on the Waikareo Estuary about 7am.
Mr Richards, who used to work at the Bay of Plenty Times, went to the scene, took photos and spoke to police.
"The policeman who asked what I was doing said it was a bit of a sensitive case," Mr Richards said.
Daisy Hardwick Walkway
The Daisy Hardwick Walkway is a 12km track that loops around the Waikaraeo Estuary. It is a mix of boardwalk, bush and gravel track. It is popular with keen walkers, joggers and cyclists. The walkway follows Waihi Rd, to Tauranga Domain, Chapel St, Maxwells Rd, and Coach Drive.