Police said they were alerted to the remains on Moncrieff Ave around 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said the residents of the address were not involved in the murder.
“Police reiterate that there is no immediate risk to the public in relation to this incident,” Vaaelua said.
The detective said the priority for the police was to confirm the identification of the deceased so they could uncover the full circumstances behind the discovery.
“This will also lead to the advice of next of kin. Given the nature of the discovery, this could take some time,” Vaaelua said.
“Police will provide further updates as our investigation permits, but we can reassure the public that our investigation team is taking this matter extremely seriously and will investigate the matter thoroughly.”
Vaaelua said employees have worked at the address, including the Specialist Search Group.
“The police recognize them for their help thus far and we are offering their support.”
Vaaelua said police appreciate that there was significant public interest in what happened, but given the nature of the discovery, a number of investigations had yet to be conducted.
“Our investigations continue today, including an ongoing investigation into the accident site, and the local community will see an increased police presence in the area in the coming days.
“An autopsy is underway and is expected to be completed in the coming days.”
A police guard is on duty – and forensic specialists are carrying out work – at the Clendon Park property, which neighbors say the officers have told them is a “crime scene”.
Two hearses have been seen at the property, neighbors said, since officers arrived yesterday.
The property is cordoned off with a large police tent over part of its front.
An RNZ reporter had previously seen a body being loaded into a hearse, and a neighbor had also told the Herald they understood a body had been found on the Moncrieff Ave property.
Yesterday, police only confirmed that they were responding to an “incident” at the South Auckland property and that there was no immediate risk to the public in connection with it.
A neighbor who has only been living in the area for a month told the Herald today that he saw the hearse pull up last night.
He said another truck had come to pick up things, but couldn’t tell if it was police equipment or property.
He didn’t know the residents but said nothing seemed suspicious and was surprised to see police officers at the property on Thursday.
Yesterday, neighbors said officers had been on the scene since noon and that up to eight police vehicles were in the street, which had been cordoned off.
A man who lived a few doors down from the crime scene said police didn’t say much.
“They just told me it’s a crime scene.”
He had heard other people say that a body had been found on the property.
He hadn’t heard anyone in distress, but another neighbor’s dogs were making noise around 1am or 2am.
“There was a lot of barking.”
A young woman, a man in his thirties and an ‘old’ man lived in the property, the neighbor said.
Moncrieff Ave was a “pretty solid street” and he lived there comfortably, the man said.
“There are a few problems, but nothing serious.”