Body found in disused grocery store

File photo / NZ Herald

The body of a man has been found behind a disused grocery store in Auckland this afternoon.

The body, thought to be of a man who was sleeping rough, was discovered by acquaintances at the rear of a Halston Road shop in Balmoral shortly before 1pm.

Detectives, a pathologist and ESR staff were at the scene of what they called "an as-yet unexplained death''.

"It's unclear how long the man had been dead before being found but it is

unlikely to be more than a day,'' police said.

"The man had been sleeping rough in the area for some time.''

Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry into his death should contact Detective Inspector Chris Cahill on 09 302 6478.