The death of a young man on Matakana Island is now being treated as a homicide.
Emergency services were called to the area, in the Western Bay of Plenty, about 1.06pm yesterday. Police said there had been "an incident'' and a sudden death as a result.
The victim has beennamed as 22-year-old Freedom James Te Patu Taikato, of Matakana Island.
Police said tonight that results from a post-mortem examination had led to officers upgrading their investigations to that of a homicide situation.
Acting detective senior sergeant Craig Rawlinson, of Tauranga Police, said: "Police will not be releasing cause of death at this time.''
Authorities have also made an appeal to anyone who was at a temporary camping ground on Matakana Point Road on New Year's Eve and yesterday to contact police immediately.
Anyone with information can contact Tauranga Police on: (07) 577 4300 or Crimestoppers Anonymous: 0800 555 111.
