An archaeologist has confirmed bone fragments found near Mangatawa Marae in Te Maunga are human.
The bones were discovered near an access-way to a reservoir behind the marae on April 9.
An archaeologist from Hamilton arrived to examine the bones last week and was able to positively identify the bones as human.

Human bone fragments were found near Mangatawa Marae in Te Maunga.

Tauranga City Council spokesperson Michael Christeller says the fragments are about 5cm in diameter.
He described the find as "quite rare" and says human bones found on Mauao three years ago was the last time council dealt with a similar case.
The bone fragments are part of a human skull, but further testing needs to be carried out before it can be determined if the bones are pre-European.
Nga Potiki is the hapu that owns the land where the bones were found.
The hapu's resource management chairperson, Matire Duncan, considers the discovery very significant.
She says the area where the bone fragments were found is a very important archaeological site.
Matire says quarrying of Mangatawa Mountain, near the discovery area, started in the 1950s
"It was expected because I was brought up in that area and I witnessed that quarrying and it was quite horrendous."