UPDATE 10.22am: Police could not rule out foul play at this stage, and said the discovery was still being investigated.

9.22am: The body found at Mount Maunganui beach this morning has been described as a man in his mid-40s.

Police confirmed they were investigating the grisly discovery after a member of the public found the body and called police just before 8am today.

The man's body had been found in the surf between Leisure Island and the main beach and had to be retrieved from the water.

9.03am: The body found at Mount Maunganui beach this morning has now been removed.

A reporter at the scene said officers removed the man's body about 8.55am and placed it on a ute, which travelled down to the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service clubrooms.

8.34am: Police have confirmed a body was found at the beach, with police notified at 7.56am of a body in the water near Leisure Island.

"The body is fully clothed and has now been retrieved from the water."

Detectives are at the scene.

8.21am: A reporter at the scene said the body looks to be a man of average size build, fully clothed in dark clothing.

Four police are standing by the body in the middle of the Main beach, and have covered the body.

The surf conditions are relatively calm.

8am: Reports have come in of a body that has been found washed up at the beach at Mount Maunganui, near Leisure Island, just before 8am this morning.

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