Identity of dead man undisclosed

Police were unable to name the man whose body was discovered at the Bason Botanic Gardens in Whanganui on Wednesday night.

The 81-year-old man's death is not considered suspicious and police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the death, and the matter has been referred to the coroner.

Bason Botanic Gardens Trust chairman Terry Dowdeswell said yesterday that he did not know who the man was or why he was at the reserve. "I only know what I have read on news sites," he said yesterday.

The reserve is open to the public as usual from 8am until dusk each day.