Family members of the children whose human remains were discovered in suitcases in Auckland earlier this month are reportedly in Asia.
The remains were found in suitcases bought at an auction for an unclaimed locker, with Det Insp Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua confirming on Thursday the bodies were those of primary school-aged children and believed to have been there for several years.
Vaaelua told reporters the children had yet to be formally identified but it was believed they had family in New Zealand.
In a report on Saturday, citing multiple unnamed sources, the NZ Herald said the children had relatives living in Asia.
Police declined to comment on the report when contacted by Newshub.
Vaaelua said on Thursday it was possible the children's families were not aware they were dead.
No details were provided about how the children died.
The family who found the bodies were not connected to the deaths.
