The remains of a World War I soldier found in Belgium earlier this year have been identified as those of a New Zealander.
The remains were found at Messines in April alongside two New Zealand infantry shoulder badges by contractors putting in a water pipe.
The Defence Force says the nationality has been accepted after forensic analysis.
About 700 New Zealanders were killed in action during the Battle of Messines in June 1917, and many bodies were never recovered.
The Defence Force's advisor in London, Lieutenant Colonel Nick Gillard, says the soldier will be interred with ceremonial honours reflecting his sacrifice and service to his country.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the remains will be reburied in a Commonwealth war grave in the coming months.
He says such discoveries are likely to keep happening because of new development in the region.
The Defence Force's John McLeod - a former colonel in the New Zealand army - will be in charge of a service for the unknown soldier.
He told Radio New Zealand's Checkpoint programme the skeleton is nearly intact, but efforts won't be made to identify it.
Mr Coleman says it's likely the remains of other New Zealanders are nearby.
