Arrest after man found dead in Northland

Police attended a property late last night where they found a 77-year-old man who died from injuries from a knife. Photo / File

An arrest has been made after a man was found dead in Northland.

Police were called to a Far North Rd property in Te Kao, about 50km south of Cape Reinga, at about 11pm last night, where they found a 77-year-old man dead of knife wounds.

A 38-year-old man was arrested shortly after. He is expected to appear in the Kaitaia District Court later today. It has not been confirmed what charges he will face.

Detective Inspector Kevin Burke said the alleged offender and the victim are family friends.

"After the alleged attack, the 38 year-old man has gone to another friend's house and spoken with them. As a result of what he has said, police have been called."

The death comes after Kaitaia police chief Senior Sergeant Geoff Ryan expressed concern at the level of violence in Northland.

It is the 11th homicide since he began working in the region seven years ago.

"It's indicative of the level of violence in this community," Ryan told the Northern Advocate.