Post-mortem examination on man found dead in Hamilton

Police have cordoned off the area where the man’s body was found and forensic investigators are at the scene. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Police say they are keeping an open mind on how a man, whose body was found lying face down in a Hamilton street early today, died.

A post mortem will be carried out today on the 47-year-old Hamilton man.

His body was found by passers-by around 2.40am today at the intersection of Mill and Victoria Streets in the northern suburb of Whitiora.

"Whilst being involved in a hit and run incident is a possibility, the only place I've heard that from is the media," Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page of Hamilton police said.

He would not confirm what injuries the man sustained, but added that would be part of the post mortem.

"Much of the investigation is focused on establishing what his last movements were, who he was with and where he was going.

"We are also getting a post mortem completed so we can understand the results of that," Mr Page said.

"At this stage, while the cause of death remains unknown, we need to get a good understanding of what the scene can tell us, in the event that this is more serious than first expected," Mr Page said.

"The identity of the man has been established. We've been in contact with the family and we're hoping to be able to release the name later on today," Mr Page said.

Terry Foster lives on Victoria Street, about 100 metres from where the man's body now lies.

He said he heard what he described as a "full-on argument" early this morning.

"There was lots of yelling and swearing, these guys were having a real full-on dispute. I didn't take too much notice of it, it was just one of those things, I thought. It happens quite often around here."

Mr Foster said a lot of unemployed people lived in the area, which was "quite rough".

The police closure of surrounding roads this morning has been causing delays for southbound motorists coming into Hamilton.

- With NZPA and NEWSTALK ZB