Historical human remains have been discovered in the Bay of Plenty.

Police were notified about 12.45pm on May 3 after a kayaker reported finding what they believed to be human remains at the end of a coastal spit near Ohakana Island.

Police said the remains were believed to be historical.

“The items were later confirmed to be human remains, including four skulls.”

Police said a representative of local iwi accompanied police during the recovery.

“A blessing was carried out at the site where the remains were found.”

Ohakana Island resident Gerry Magner said they had not heard about the discovery.

However, he recalled skeletal remains that were exposed in the same area about a decade ago, likely brought to the surface by erosion.

It’s not clear whether the new find is linked to the earlier findings, but Magner said the area has long been of historical significance.