Police have named the person found in a burnt-out car near Kaikoura.
The car was discovered on Monday on the side of Kiwa Road, about 15km north of the town, and close to a popular surfing spot.
Formal identification has yet to take place, but police believe the man is 28-year-old Adam Toleman.
A post-mortem has been completed and police say there are no suspicious circumstances.
They say the death appears to be the result of an accidental fire.
