A homicide investigation following the death of a local man who was left for dead on a Haumoana beach on Monday is ongoing in what has been dubbed "Operation Helm".
Mark Geoffrey Beale, 45, was found unconscious on the beach in Haumoana about 7am on Monday and was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital where he remained in a critical condition in intensive care before he died on Tuesday morning as a result of serious head injuries.
Detective inspector Mike Foster said inquiries were ongoing and a post-mortem examination was being carried out in Wellington today.
He said that a specialist search group had finished an examination of the area where Mr Beale was found unconscious and that the scene had also been examined forensically.
Police also continued to liaise with Mr Beale's family yesterday, providing support for them.