Police have identified the victim of a violent murder in Whanganui as one of the country's most distinguished journalists.

The death of Derek Leonard Round, 77, at Whanganui on Thursday morning is being treated as a homicide with more than 40 police investigating.

Mr Round was an agency journalist for many decades and had been editor of the New Zealand Press Association from 1984 to 1989.

He also served as NZPA's correspondent in Hong Kong and London, and as NZPA political editor, and was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Kirby confirmed on Friday that Mr Round died violently but wouldn't release any more information about his injuries.

"There will be a post-mortem examination tomorrow and we may be in a position to release more information then," he told NZ Newswire.

Det Snr Sgt Dave Kirby said police were very keen to hear from anyone who saw Mr Round's car, a blue 1996 Jaguar XJ6, between 6.30pm on Wednesday and 8.30am on Thursday.