Police are now calling a man's death in Auckland's Pukekohe, a homicide - more than two months into the investigation

They say 48 year-old Donnie Houben was found dead at a gang-associated property on Times Place - late in December.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright says they've been treating the death as suspicious.

She says preliminary pathologist findings suggest he was assaulted before he died.

Police believe people in the community have more information, and they're asking them to come forward.