Man killed after axe attack in Kawerau

Police launched a homicide investigation after the 31-year-old's death last night. File image

A man who died after he was hit in the head with an axe in Kawerau last night has been named by police.

He was 31-year-old Barry Junior Hunt.

A 25-year-old man would appear in the Whakatane District Court today, charged with his murder, police said.

A homicide investigation was launched after Mr Hunt's death last night.

Just after 7.30pm an altercation between a small group of men was reported at a house in the town.

All the men were known to each other.

During the altercation Mr Hunt suffered a severe head injury caused by an axe.

He was taken to Whakatane Hospital in a critical condition and he died in the early hours of this morning.

The 25-year-old man was charged with murder shortly after.

Police said they could not comment on the specifics of the case as it was now before the courts.