A body found burning at the side of the road in Waikato overnight will not be removed until a scene examination is complete, police say.
The burning body was discovered by a passing motorist on Hangapipi Rd near Huntly, north of Hamilton, about 10pm yesterday.
A scene examination was being held before the body was removed for a post mortem, Waikato police media spokesman Andrew McAlley said.
"It (the scene examination) is the crucial first stage of any sudden death inquiry, that's what gives us direction," he said.
The body had not yet been identified, said Mr McAlley, who would not confirm reports it was a Maori woman in her 20s.
The body was a short distance from the Solid Energy open cast coal mine in Rotowaro, 10km west of Huntly. The mine is the second largest open cast coal mine in New Zealand.