Moka case: Post-mortem examination today

Barbara Ann Moka

Police have found a body they believe is that of missing Northlander Barbara Moka.

The find was made just before 2pm yesterday, a stone's throw from the marae where the Rawene 32-year-old was last seen more than two weeks ago.

The body was expected to be removed overnight after a thorough scene examination, and had yet to be formally identified.

A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death was to take place in Auckland this morning.

Uniformed police, detectives and forensic specialists focused on an area around a gravel driveway off Omanaia Rd, South Hokianga, about 100m from Te Piiti Marae.

That was where Ms Moka attended a tangi for a close relative of her partner on June 8.

The drive, which leads through rough farmland and past a dilapidated barn, was sealed off by police.

Media were kept well away from the scene.

An earlier search last Thursday focused on a bush track a further 100m from the marae.

Police had been told Ms Moka crashed her car there about 1am on June 9 as she and her partner were heading home.

Yesterday's sad find came less than 30 minutes before a man appeared in the Kaikohe District Court in relation to Ms Moka.

His name, the charge he was facing and all other details surrounding his court appearance were suppressed.

The man stood with his head bowed, unshaven and handcuffed, throughout his brief appearance.

No application for bail was made but lawyer Catherine Cull asked for interim name suppression because the investigation was "at a crucial stage".

Judge Keith de Ridder issued a sweeping suppression order, barring publication of the man's name and all other details until his next appearance. The man was remanded in custody until July 3.

A team of 20 police continued to work on the inquiry, with a spokeswoman saying they appreciated the assistance of Ms Moka's family and friends. The family had asked for privacy.

Ms Moka, a mother of four, worked at the Copthorne Hotel in Omapere as a receptionist.

She moved to Rawene last year from Auckland, where many of her whanau live. Her children, aged 7 to 15, did not live with her.

Shortly before yesterday's news broke, a family member posted a message on a social media site: "Just been speaking to the whanau up North ... the police are now questioning [name suppressed] ...

"FINALLY. If anyone heard, saw anything now is your time to front up, or forever hold your peace ... Spread the WORD!"

Meanwhile, Ms Moka's mother, Isobel Moka, pleaded on Facebook for her daughter's return: "Dont know where to start in my heart i want to walk up and down the road by omanaia and call out to her ... I want to scream angry hurt but that aint gonna help. I just want my baby in my arms please anybody help me find her."

Police today will reveal more information about the discovery of the body.