Skull fished from water at Mount Maunganui confirmed as human

Police divers searching through part of Tauranga Harbour after a human skull was found say they have since found more bones.

The bones have been examined and determined to be animals bones, a police spokeswoman said.

The bones find comes a day after a fisherman found part of a human skull on his line at Salisbury Wharf in Mount Maunganui.

Detective Sergeant Alan Kingsbury said this morning initial indications were that it was from an adult and had been in the water for some years.

"There is nothing to suggest that there are any suspicious circumstances in relation to the skull and the matter has been referred to the coroner."

Police were called to Salisbury Wharf at 1.30pm yesterday when the fisherman pulled the skull ashore. The skull was recovered and taken to a forensic pathologist to be examined.

Police divers in Pilot Bay, Salisbury Wharf, after part of a human skull was found. Photo/George Novak

Kingsbury said the Police National Dive Squad assisted with a search of the area surrounding Salisbury Wharf today.

The dive squad was assisted by the Tauranga Harbourmaster.

"It is expected that the search will be completed today but while it is underway there will be restrictions around the use of the wharf and the surrounding area for members of the public," Kingsbury said.

"This is to ensure the search can be conducted safely.

"The police appreciate the cooperation of the public and Port of Tauranga in this matter."