The police cordon was set up near SH1 at Highbrook. Photo: RNZ / Bella Craig
Pipe bombs found near a body beside Auckland's Southern Motorway are not a criminal matter, police say.
Police were alerted to the death in Highbrook about 11.30am on Tuesday and it resulted in the motorway being closed for many hours.
On Wednesday, police confirmed the devices found near the body of the man were pipe bombs that could have killed people within proximity.
The death of the man had now been referred to the Coroner, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward said.
"Police will not be releasing detailed findings of the post-mortem, but it has indicated the man died of a self-inflicted injury."
The man's death and the discovery of the pipe bombs were not being treated as a criminal matter, he said.
"Police are currently unable to release further details surrounding the man, as formal identification procedures are yet to be completed."
The man's next of kin had been contacted, he said, and they were being supported.
"This incident has occurred in a very public place, and I understand there will naturally be curiosity surrounding what has taken place.
"It's important to remember that a person has died and there is family grieving, so we ask people to be mindful of speculation."
The Coroner would, in time, issue findings surrounding the circumstances that led to the man's death, Hayward said.
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