Police in New Zealand have launched a homicide investigation after it was claimed that human remains were hidden inside suitcases purchased at an auction in Auckland, the nation's largest city.

Unknown quantities of remains are thought to have been kept in suitcases that were up for auction as part of a storage unit sale, and after winning the auction, were brought home by the unsuspecting family.

According to police official Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua, residents at a home in South Auckland called police last Thursday after making the grisly discovery.

Police don't think the family had anything to do with the alleged homicide.

According to Vaaelua, "the priority for police is to confirm the identity of the deceased so that we can determine the full circumstances surrounding the discovery."

The number of victims was being ascertained through a post-mortem examination, according to the police.

For storage units with unpaid bills, it's common practice to auction off abandoned contents.

A South Auckland storage facility's owner told the news website Stuff that his company is working with police on the investigation.

According to the news source Newshub, police may be handling the remains of several bodies.

Police, according to Vaaelua, "do not currently perceive any immediate risk to the public as a result of this incident."