Police have launched a homicide investigation after the body of a male was found in Rotorua’s Kuirau Park.
Members of the public found the body around 1:30am and alerted police and ambulance staff.
While not giving out many details at this stage, police say the victim sustained some serious injuries.
Detective Inspector Mark Loper says a cordon is in place around the entire park while a team from Emergency Search and Rescue conduct a forensic scene examination late morning.
The public should avoid the area and police are working quickly to reduce the cordon so people can enjoy the area.
"[We need] to preserve and recover any items that may be linked to this incident," says Mr Loper. "Certainly today and potentially in the coming days."
The park is a large recreational area just outside the Rotorua CBD. It has geothermal areas, hot pools, carparks and children’s playgrounds.
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