The body of a woman found out in the burnt-out shell of a vehicle left in riverside reserve has been identified as a Napier teenager.

Police say she was 18-year-old Ariki Rigby of Napier.

Ariki had last been seen on September 2 in the Napier/Hastings area, according to a social media post on September 10.

Her sister said on social media on Sunday: "You funny and beautiful! I love you sister.
Come home. I will find you soon.

"I won't rest till I do."

Ariki Rigby had last been seen on September 2 in the Napier/Hastings area, according to a social media post on September 10. Photo / supplied

Police were now following a number of lines of enquiry in relation to the teen's death but were continuing to appeal for information from the public.

It's taken more than a week for the woman to be formally identified more than a week after her body was discovered on the outskirts of Havelock North.

Yesterday Detective Inspector David De Lange said police had made "good progress" in the homicide investigation, which was launched after the woman was found by a dog walker at the River Rd Recreational Reserve earlier this month.

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Yesterday Detective Inspector David De Lange said police had made "good progress" in the homicide investigation, which was launched after the woman was found by a dog walker at the River Rd Recreational Reserve earlier this month. (edited)

De Lange said police still wanted to hear from anyone who saw a mid-90s dark grey Toyota Corona or people in River Rd area between 10pm on September 2 and 7am on September 3.

Police say she was 18-year-old Ariki Rigby of Napier. Photo / supplied

The burnt-out vehicle that contained the woman's body was first discovered on Saturday September 3.

The car remained there over the weekend until the following Monday when a dog walker took a closer look at it and discovered the woman's body, alerting police to again take a closer look at it.

Police announced they had launched a homicide investigation into an "unexplained death" a week ago, saying an initial report from a member of the public was that the burnt-out car contained animal remains.