The New Zealand Transport Agency says there are no immediate plans to excavate what could be old graves discovered south of Hastings.
Ground penetration radar surveys have revealed what appear to be 33 graves near an intersection of a proposed extension to the Napier - Hastings expressway.
Regional manager Rob Bramley says an x-ray of the ground showed soil disturbances which are consistent with that of graves.
He says early indications are they could be European-style burials from the late 1800's, but more should be known in a few months.
He says the Transport Agency is researching the history of the area and will work with iwi, the Historic Places Trust and the Hastings District Council.
