Rāhui in place at Ōtaika Valley following ‘unexplained’ death of motorcyclist

Ōtaika Valley Rd is closed between SH1 [Ōtaika] and SH14 [Maungatapere]. Pictured here is the section at the end of Cemetery Rd where motorists were being redirected by traffic management on Wednesday. Photo / Brodie Stone

A rāhui has been placed over the area where a motorcyclist was found dead on Wednesday morning near Whangārei.

Ōtaika Valley Rd between SH1 Ōtaika and SH14 Maungatapere has been closed since 9.30am yesterday for the police investigation.

The road is expected to reopen around 2pm today.

The motorcyclist – who has not yet been named – was found just before 5.30am on Wednesday morning in a creek next to the road, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer said.

The man’s motorcycle was found on the side of the road.

Yesterday, Pilmer said the investigation was in its early stages but the death was being treated as unexplained.

A post-mortem was expected to be carried out in “due course”.

A social media post indicated the rāhui, placed by Te Parawhau hapū, would remain in place until 8pm Friday.

The boundary is at the Ōtaika Valley walking track entrance, along the river through to the mouth of the Ōtaika River.

Detours were in place for motorists and residents were advised to liaise with uniformed staff at the cordon.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.