A homicide investigation has been launched after a person was found dead at a property in West Auckland this morning.
Police confirmed officers were called to a property on Great North Rd in New Lynn after reports that a gun had been fired. The incident happened just after 10am.
"On arrival, Police have located a person injured in the driveway of the address.
"Frontline Police staff have tried to provide first aid to this person, however they have died at the scene."
Rata St and the Rata St intersection with Great North Rd, in the suburb of New Lynn, are both currently closed due to what transport authorities earlier described as a "police incident".
Waitematā CIB Detective Inspector Kevin McNaughton said officers started inquiries around the area immediately afterwards and were supported by police air crew as well.
Neighbouring properties have also been evacuated as a result of the incident, McNaughton said.
Residents in the area are being told to expect a heightened police presence in response to what has happened.
A witness at the scene described it as "traffic chaos" as armed police cordoned off part of the road just after 10.30am.
Several police vehicles could be seen parked across various points of the road in a bid to block traffic.
Just before 11am, a barefoot man was seen being escorted from the area by a police officer. The man was in handcuffs.
Police are standing guard outside the New Haven Motel.
Two ambulance vehicles that were at the site have since left the scene. Police, however, remain outside the motel.
Police said a scene examination will take place and a post mortem examination will be carried out on the victim at a later stage.
Authorities are calling on anyone who may have witnessed the incident or any suspicious activity around the area this morning to come forward.
• Can you help? Anyone with information is urged to call Police on 105 or CrimeStoppers anonymous on 0800 555 111
The couple's passports, birth certificates and Christmas presents were destroyed.