A skull and several bones found by contractors laying a stormwater drain in Napier on Monday have been confirmed as being at least 200 years old. Initial police inspections of the bones and the site where they were found pointed to them being "very old".

That was confirmed by an archeologist who told police the condition of the bone structure, and the deterioration of the teeth, showed them to be pre-European.

Detective senior sergeant Bill Gregory said police had consulted iwi through an iwi liaison officer to ensure the remains were dealt with respectfully.

Police are expected to review whether the bones would go to Environmental Science and Research for carbon dating as it was now clearly an archeological matter rather than a criminal forensics one.

The bones would be handed over to local iwi, Mr Gregory said.

An area near Hill Rd where the bones were found was once the site of a pa.

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