His investigation team were now looking at whether a silver Subaru station wagon, which was seen driving erratically in the area before being abandoned, was linked to the murder.
Emergency services were called to the White Street address shortly before 9.30pm.
The station wagon was spotted driving erratically on Lineside Road at 9.45pm, before travelling south on the Northern Motorway. It was then abandoned near the Ohoka Road off-ramp.
The Subaru had now been seized by police, Mr Long said.
A 100m cordon has been put in place around the property, near the popular children's area known as Elephant Park.
Police were conducting a scene examination today.
One neighbour said she felt "sick'' at the news.
She believed "three young lads'' lived at the address but she hadn't had any trouble from them.
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, did not hear anything overnight, but had seen police and ambulances about 10pm.
One local said he couldn't remember a murder in the town for more than 20 years.
In 1991 Ziggy Stardust Buckeridge killed 14-year-old Julie Sands at Ashley River.
Anyone who had any information about yesterday's incident was asked to contact the Christchurch police or Crimestoppers.
