Attribute to: Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson

Police this morning have located a body at Lake Rotokākahi near Rotorua. Prior to work being done to recover the body, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao blessed the area.  

Officers made the discovery at about 8am, while making enquiries in relation to a homicide in Pahiatua, which occurred in October 2025.

While formal identification is ongoing, it is believed the body may be that of a person of interest related to the homicide investigation.

Police can now confirm the name of the person who died following a serious crash involving a car and pedestrian in Hokitika on 14 August.

She was Mary Schimanski, 87, of Hokitika. 

Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this time.

Enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS