Police are investigating after suspected human remains were dug up during construction work at a Hamilton property.

Senior Sergeant Leo Belay said the remains were unearthed by an excavator at a construction site yesterday afternoon.

Belay said a scene guard was at the site overnight and police were there today to make “further inquiries”.

“Investigation staff will work to determine if the remains are human and how old they are, which may take some time,” he said.

“Members of the community in Hillcrest can expect to see an increased police presence in the area.”

This afternoon there were four police vehicles parked on the street.

One resident who has lived in the area for 20 years said he had seen the digger on the property but wasn’t aware of any police involvement until asked by the media.

”It’s been a good neighbourhood,” the man said.

”We’ve had good relationships with people here.”

Another resident, who asked not to be named, said her child had come home from school yesterday to see three or four police cars parked in the street.

”But that’s all we know about it.”

She said the police presence had reduced to one car around midnight.