Hauraki Rd resident Arthur Mahy, who is the brother of celebrated late children's book author Margaret Mahy, heard a noise outside when he woke to use the bathroom this morning.
Mahy lives immediately behind the beachfront property next to the one at which the remains were found and can see the pedestrian access to the beach from his home.
"I saw two police cars arrive and a bather came running up to the [pedestrian] entrance and then pointed."
He was tired and went back to bed, but his wife, Pam Mahy, went to speak with their neighbour about 7am.
Neither their neighbour nor police were able to say what was going on, but she saw forensics' officers in white boiler suits, as well as a police photographer.
Mahy said the area where the remains were found had recently been the site of earthmoving work.
"They took away a lot of timber logs and boards."
And although it appeared today to be beyond the high tide mark, the water sometimes reached to where the remains were found, Mahy said.
A house had also been shifted off the site many years ago, he said.
Access to the beach was restricted earlier today as police carried out a scene examination, but it has now been reopened.
Hauraki Rd resident Mary Norton and her disappointed border collie cross Mo were among walkers turned away this morning.
"We were told that, on the beach, somebody had washed up. It's just terrible, so sad."
John Fillmore owns the beachfront property outside which the remains were covered by a tarpaulin this morning.
We also asked police for details on missing persons' cases being considered and whether they had been contacted today by any family or friends of missing people.
A police spokeswoman said it was too early to give answers to our questions.
"We have a team of investigators working on this and are working to identify the remains as soon as possible, however at this stage I have no indication how long this might take."