Body confirmed as missing Rotorua woman

Michelle Hoffman-Tamm. Photo / Supplied

A body discovered in a forest area close to State Highway 38 near Murupara has been formally identified as 51-year-old Michelle Hoffman-Tamm from Rotorua.

Police are continuing to investigate a Rotorua address after completing scene examinations of an area of highway and a landfill.

Hoffman-Tamm's body was discovered in an area of forest near State Highway 38, 10km from Murupara, yesterday afternoon.

Information connected to Hoffman-Tamm's disappearance that led to the search of the patch of forest.

A 44-year old woman appeared in Rotorua District Court yesterday charged with assaulting Ms Hoffman-Tamm, who went missing 17 days ago.

The Rotorua woman, who was granted interim name suppression, did not enter a plea when she appeared before a community magistrate and was remanded in custody to reappear in court on December 3.

Police have said further charges were likely.

Ms Hoffman-Tamm, 51, disappeared after leaving her home on her red mountainbike to visit a friend on November 7.

Her bike was found on Thursday in a Rotorua suburb.

Earlier this week her family made an emotional plea for Ms Hoffman-Tamm to come home, saying her disappearance was completely out of character.