Police name dead motorcyclist

Police have released the name of the motorcyclist who was found dead on State Highway 1 north of Bulls yesterday.

He was Gregory John Spargo, 50, from Auckland.

The man's body was found just off the road by a motorist about 7.20am. Police said his body could have been lying unnoticed for several hours.

The Serious Crash Unit investigation was ongoing.

The death brought the holiday road toll to six.