In late March police were notified that a member of the public had located the remains during a low tide.
"Inquiries made have confirmed these remains are human," police said in a statement today.
Police said they had conducted a scene examination and made inquiries on behalf of the Coroner to identify the remains.
"They have since been formally identified as the remains of Murray Allen Wakefield, who was aged 55 at the time he was reported missing from the Deborah Bay area on May 13, 2025."
Deborah Bay is on the other side of Otago Harbour, near Port Chalmers.
When Mr Wakefield was reported missing last year, he was described as a "local identity" to many in the Port Chalmers area, and as someone who had been around for "years and years".
Careys Bay Marine Services owner Eldon Donaldson said Mr Wakefield was "a genuinely good guy".
"Murray’s easy going, friendly, quiet, doesn’t bother anyone ... a pretty kind-hearted sort of fella."
Police said they had notified his family and were offering them the necessary support.
His death has been referred to the Coroner.
