Man charged with assault after half-way house death

Police at the house on Mansfield Street, Newtown. Photo / NZPA

Wellington police are investigating the death of a 37-year-old man at a halfway house today.

Detective Inspector Paul Basham said a man had been charged with assault and was "assisting police with their inquiries".

He said it was too early to say whether the man would face further charges.

Ambulance staff and police were called to the Mansfield St, Newtown, property at 5.50am.

There were 15-20 people at the address - a halfway house for people suffering mental illness or involved in drug rehabilitation - who were taken to the police station to be interviewed by CIB staff.

Mr Basham said a cause of death had not been established. A pathologist was at the scene and police were hoping to organise a post mortem examination.

He said no weapon had been found, but the scene examination could take a couple of days.

"It's too early to say what's happened, but we hope to be in a position over the next 24 hours or so, once we've spoken to witnesses to determine what's happened in that house."

Mr Basham said given the condition of many of the witnesses police would take a considered approach to the investigation.

"Well every investigation's different. This one's got its own context and, yes we will be taking extra care given fact that the people in residence at this place are mentally ill and receiving assistance."

He said support had been made available to the residents as, "obviously it's a traumatic event".

The name of the deceased will be released once the man's family has been contacted.

- NZPA