Police have launched a homicide investigation after the discovery of a man’s body in a vehicle in the Far North town of Kawakawa on Sunday morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Station Road in a car park near the Caltex petrol station about 7.45am.

“The man’s death was initially treated as unexplained, however it is now believed that he was the victim of a violent assault,” Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston says.

A 49-year-old man located nearby has now been charged with murder, appearing in the Kaikohe District Court today.

Detective Inspector Johnston says Police are also searching a property in the seaside settlement of Te Tii in relation to the investigation.

Post-mortem and formal identification procedures are still to be carried out.

Police are releasing a photo of the vehicle which has since been removed from the scene where the man was found.

“We would like to talk to anyone who noticed this vehicle or spoke with the occupants during the morning of Sunday 13 April,” Detective Inspector Johnston says.

That vehicle is a black Ford Falcon, with registration number BYM765.

It visited the Caltex Station in Kawakawa at 7.15am on 13 April.

If you can help, please get in touch through our 105 service, using the reference number 250413/7779.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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