Police have formally identified the body of Te Anihana Pomana and confirmed her death has been referred to the coroner.

It follows the discovery of her body in the dense Pukekohe bush on November 22.

A post-mortem was carried out last week and a funeral is expected to be held in Dunedin this week.

Her mother was also updated on the findings of the post-mortem last week.

Auckland central area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend confirmed the development in the three-month disappearance.

Friend said the police can advise that the body found in Pukekohe on November 22 “has been formally identified as Te Anihana Pomana”.

“As always, our thoughts and sympathies are with Te Anihana’s whānau and friends at this difficult time.”

He said Pomana’s death had been referred to the coroner.

The 25-year-old was last seen leaving the SkyCity Hotel in Auckland on August 21 and her last confirmed sighting was at 5.16am on Victoria St West outside Seven Poke Asian eatery, heading towards Victoria Park.

Pomana’s family have previously criticised police for the way they announced a body had been found.

“The media releases were done without official confirmation with formal identification,” a Facebook post linked to the family said.

“Whānau hadn’t got the chance to inform many close to Te Anihana.

“Apologies to anyone that has had to read and find this information out in this manner.”

A Givealittle page set up to assist with the search for Pomana said her body would be brought to Dunedin once it was confirmed it was her body found in Pukekohe.

“Our new focus for this page,” the page said. “Donations will be used to cover these transportation and funeral costs.“

The missing woman’s sister, Ebony Pomana, described the 25-year-old as a beautiful person who was a “well-educated and driven” individual.

“I love you and I’m only here to find you,” she told the Herald last month.