Archaeologists have discovered partial human remains on Haipipi Endeavour Park - believed to be part of a leg dating back to Pre-European times.

OPUS Archaelogists have been working on the site since last week before work begins to expand the courthouse.

The location is formerly the site of Heipipi Village while government buildings, including a post office, have since stood there.

Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa Chief Executive Ronald Nepe said he understood the remains were part of a leg.

Gisborne Herald

The Runanga would consult with elders about what to do with the Koiwi.

It could be interned on site or elsewhere but no decision would be made before the achaeological dig finished later this week, said Mr Nepe.

The site had been identified as a wahi tapu site, pontentially of significance to Maori, said Phil Barclay, Senior Corporate Communications Adviser (Media) of the Ministry of Justice.

"It is standard practice for the Ministry to appoint an archaeologist for the project where historic or cultural values are associated with a site.

"Items of historic interest are often discovered during excavation work, notably during the Supreme Court project in Wellington and the redevelopment of the Nelson Courthouse," said Mr Barclay.

The Ministry of JUstice has agreed protocols with Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa, and was granted authority for the investigation from the New Zealand Historical Place Trust.

The excavation protocols stipulates that should any wahi tapu artefacts be unearthed, further investigations and necessary rituals will be carried out.

The discovery of the Koiwi is not expected to delay the building project, which is a proposed major addition to the Courthouse building.