Work on a council emergency management facility in Whakatāne has been stopped following the discovery of kōiwi [human remains] on the site.

Whakatāne District Council strategic Māori partnership kaihautū and acting commercial services general manager Hone Patrick confirmed work had stopped at the facility in Waiewe St following the discovery of bones.

He said that in consultation with police and an archaeologist, it had been confirmed that kōiwi were found.

A karakia has been carried out, the site remains closed, and further comment would be provided as investigations progressed.

“We ask the public to respect the tapu of this area and stay away from the work site,” Patrick said.

The council began the work last week, building facilities on council reserve land to help be better prepared to respond to emergencies such as flooding and tsunami.

The facilities include additional garaging and workspace to provide back-up facilities to add to the district’s emergency preparedness.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.