Sombre police officers removed their hats and flanked the road as her remains were taken from the scene in a hearse this afternoon.
Investigation head Detective Inspector Mark Benefield said a scene examination had confirmed what police believed all along -- that the Auckland mother and escort had been dismembered. Her body was found inside several plastic containers, he said.
The site, on a dirt road about 2km from the Arataki Visitors Centre on Scenic Drive, was earlier blessed by local kaumatua.
Four of the dead woman's friends also came to the site, crying as they laid flowers by the side of the road.
Mr Benefield said the scene examination had been conducted with "great sensitivity and care", and the staff involved would receive trauma counselling.
Asked what it had been like to be involved with such an horrific investigation, Mr Benefield replied: "The emotion in this investigation ..." before breaking down in tears and walking away.
A post mortem on Ms Thomas' body is expected to take several days.
A major police investigation resulted in the arrest of Ms Thomas's former partner and her five year-old son Jack's father, Brad Callaghan, 32, who has been charged with her murder.
Mr Benefield told a media conference last night police were about to return "Carmen to her family and loved ones and let them lay her to rest in dignity".
Mr Benefield said he had not ruled out further arrests, although none were imminent.
He would not say what information police had received which led police to the bush in west Auckland.
There were a lot of unanswered questions "for people who have been following this tragedy through the media and on various social networking sites, but I'm unable to answer everything as there are serious matters before the court and I do not want to risk compromising anyone's right to a fair trial", he said.
The police team had worked tirelessly since they learned on July 13 she was missing.
"While we are relieved that we believe we have found her, it's a very sad time for her family and for those of us who, initially, hoped to be able to find her alive," Mr Benefield said.
NZPA contacted a member of Ms Thomas' family in South Africa, where she was originally from, who said he did not wish to comment in the news media as it was a family matter.
On a Facebook page set up to help the police inquiry, hundreds of messages have been posted expressing relief that Ms Thomas' body has been found, and condolences to her family.
Carolyn Lavagna, a relative, said the family was very grateful to the New Zealand Police "for being persistent and never failing us".
Ms Thomas' son, Jack, should be allowed to go to South Africa to make a fresh start, she said.
Callaghan remains in custody and is due to appear again in Auckland District Court later this month.
