UPDATED 10.58pm: Police are treating the death of a man whose body was found floating in the Waikato River as suspicious.

The man has been identified as 29-year-old Tama Hurinui Retimana of Hamilton.

He found by a kayaker who was paddling in the river on Tuesday evening.

Hamilton Police detective sergeant Terri Wilson said the dead was known to be homeless living along the banks of the Waikato river.

He was discovered only wearing his black boxer shorts and black socks.

Police were now treating the circumstances of this death as suspicious.

A post mortem examination was conducted yesterday which included a formal identification of the man and notification to his family.

Police appealed for information on the whereabouts of Retimana leading up to the discovery of his body floating in the river.

They were asked to call Hamilton police on (07) 858 6200 or anonymously on 0800 555 111.