Police have confirmed a burned out van found near Kaikoura contained a body and they are now trying to find out what caused the fire.
The van was found by a member of the public off Kiwa Rd, about 15km north of Kaikoura yesterday morning.
The area is a popular surfing spot and also attracts freedom campers.
In a statement today, police said confirmed there was a body in the vehicle.
It had been removed and police were now formally identifying the victim and contacting next of kin. They have not said who they think it is.
They are also concentrating on finding out what caused the fire, said Tasman police crime manager, says Detective Inspector Geoff Jago.
Meanwhile, a nearby pottery shop owner, Juanita Edelmann, says she believes the van belonged to an Auckland man in his 20s who had been in the Kaikoura area on and off for about four years.
He was looking forward to travelling to the United States this week to visit his American girlfriend, who had been living in Kaikoura until a few months ago, she told the Marlborough Express.
NZN