Couple found dead in cabin next to highway were given two weeks to leave by NZTA
A couple found dead last week at a cabin in Gisborne had been given two weeks to leave the land.
The cabin occupied part of an NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) road reserve next to State Highway 35, Awapuni Rd, near the back of Poverty Bay golf course.
The discovery of the bodies of a man, aged 59, and a woman, aged 42, last Wednesday followed a missing persons inquiry.
Martin Colditz, NZTA area manager Tairāwhiti, said NZTA was first made aware on April 30 this year that two people were occupying part of the road reserve.
Staff had made three visits to the site, with the first on May 7.
“Our preference is always to talk with people in person to resolve situations and this was the purpose of the first visit,” Colditz said.
The couple were issued a notice of intention to trespass on July 13, which gave them two weeks to vacate the property.
“We’re unaware of the ownership of the cabin – which we understand has been removed as part of a police investigation.
“NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the two people found last week.”
A police spokesman said they were not in a position to release the names of the man and woman.
Police await further test results to determine what caused the deaths.
Autopsies were carried out at the weekend.
“At this stage this remains an undetermined death inquiry,” Detective Senior Sergeant John Love said.
“We are waiting for test results to come through.”
Love said the deaths were not suspicious and their bodies have been released to their families in Manawatū.
A photograph published in the Gisborne Herald in relation to the deaths was of the site where the cabin was located. It had been removed before the image was taken.