A police cordon is set up in a walkway near SH1 at Highbrook. Photo: RNZ / Bella Craig
A man's body has been found off near a walkway which runs alongside Auckland's Southern Motorway.
Police were alerted to the sudden death about 11.30am.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said that while carrying out initial investigations at the scene, police located a suspicious item near the man's body.
The object was first thought to be an improvised explosive device (IED).
"The area was immediately cordoned off, including the closure of SH1 between Princes Street and Highbrook Drive," Hayward said.
The Police Specialist Search Group and the NZDF EOD Team were sent to the area. After a thorough search two objects were found, both of which were safely removed from the scene.
"Initial enquiries indicate that these items are not IEDs, and further specialist enquiries will need to be carried out into these two objects."
The southbound lanes on SH1 reopened about 3pm.
Hayward said there were no immediate concerns for anyone's safety and police will remain in the area.
A scene examination was underway and likely to continue into Wednesday.
Police will carry out enquiries into the man's death on behalf of the Coroner.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
