Wellington Police continue to investigate death of man in storm water culvert yesterday

Wellington Police are continuing to investigate the death of a man, whose body was found in a storm water culvert in the vicinity of Chaffers Marina, near Te Papa yesterday.

Officer in charge of the Wellington CIB Detective Inspector Paul Basham says Police were notified by members of the public around midday yesterday.

"A scene examination began yesterday afternoon and will continue throughout the day today. The body of the male was removed last night and a post-mortem examination will be carried out later this morning."

Detective Inspector Basham says the death of this person remains unexplained at this stage.

"It is certainly an unusual circumstance to locate a body in a storm water culvert. We anticipate the post-mortem examination will help us determine whether the death was potentially suspicious or accidental."

The name of the deceased will not be released until a formal identification has been completed and next of kin have been advised.

The New Zealand Fire Service has been assisting Police with scene management and providing some technical support. The New Zealand Defence Force provided Police with a heavy duty tent to cordon and contain the scene, given the strong winds in Wellington yesterday afternoon.

Media please note, no further information will be available until the post-mortem examination has been completed later today.