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Human Remains Identified, Coppermine Island
Human remains located on Coppermine Island (Mauipane), east of Whangārei have been identified as belonging to a person who went missing in May 2024.
On 20 December 2025, a member of the Department of Conservation contacted Police after finding the remains on the island.
The remains have since been examined by a pathologist, anthropologist, and ESR scientists as we worked to identify who the person was.
Following the examination, the human remains have now been confirmed as those of missing person Ferzil Babu, who went missing while on a fishing trip at The Gap, Taiharuru on 1 May 2024.
Police have since spoken with Ferzil’s family to inform them of the finding.
Police extend their sympathies to his loved ones at this difficult time.
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