A team from the serious crash unit was at the scene yesterday.
Red cones were placed along the road and some members of the public, believed to be family members of the dead man, were surrounding the body.
Cars had been parked around the body to prevent members of the public seeing the scene.
Meanwhile, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen of the Kawerau police said that at 5.18am yesterday, police were called to a home invasion, burglary and alleged sexual assault of a 32-year-old Kawerau woman.
A man allegedly broke into the woman's home and sexually assaulting her while she was asleep in her bedroom, as other members of the household slept in a nearby room.
The woman forced the man off during a short struggle before he escaped.
Police completed a scene examination and an investigation is now under way.
The victim described her attacker as Maori, possibly in his 30s.
Earlier on Sunday, about 5am, Opotiki police were called after reports of the assault and abduction of a 17-year-old local woman who appeared to have been involved in an altercation with three other women who then pulled her into their vehicle and drove off.
Mr Standen said the teenager was set upon and suffered injuries to her face and body which required medical treatment.
The attackers allegedly drove the victim to a location outside the township and left her on the side of the road.
Staff from Opotiki and Whakatane police have found the three women, who were being spoken to by investigators.
Mr Standen said police were asking people who may have seen or heard anything regarding the alleged abduction or home invasion to contact Kawerau or Opotiki police on (07) 323 1400, (07) 315 1110, or anonymously on (0800) 555 111.
