Man found dead in a car outside Raglan house

A police investigation has been launched after a man’s body was found in a parked car outside a house on the outskirts of Raglan.

Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said they found the man about 7pm on Wednesday, and a forensic post-mortem was scheduled for today to help determine the circumstances of his death.

Officers have cordoned off an area near a Wainui Rd address, and would be doing a scene examination. A scene guard was in place overnight and will remain for some time, Pitkethley said.

Police were appealing for sightings of a white Mitsubishi Legnum being driven in and around Raglan on Wednesday afternoon in relation to the incident. People who witnessed suspicious or disorderly behaviour over the same time period were also encouraged to call police.

A Stuff reporter at the scene yesterday said two armed police officers were guarding the area .

They had been there all morning.

A blue tent was stationed over a vehicle parked up what appeared to be a long, private gravel road.

Anyone with information was encouraged to contact police on 105 and refer to file number 220126/6493.

People can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Wainui Rd winds along the Waikato west coast, between the Raglan township and popular beaches such as Manu Bay.

There are few houses in the area police are guarding, and large bush areas.

Nearby residents Patrick and Barbara Day said they hadn’t heard anything overnight and didn’t know what had happened.

‘‘If there was a big noise up there we would have heard it,’’ Patrick Day said.

‘‘We know the people up there and they’re pretty decent,’’ Barbara Day added.