Man on murder charge after death at beach

A man was to appear in Tauranga District Court this afternoon charged with murder after another man died at Pukehina Beach last night.

The dead man was named by police as Julian Chapman Williams, 29, of Pukehina Beach, 30km east of Te Puke, Bay of Plenty.

Two other men were admitted to Tauranga Hospital with injuries.

Police were called to several addresses in the Pukehina Beach area as a result of an incident shortly before midnight, Senior Sergeant Rob Jones of Te Puke said.

"On arrival police and other emergency services located a 29-year-old male outside an address with serious injuries and despite attempts to resuscitate him, he died at the scene," Mr Jones said.

Another man was admitted to Tauranga Hospital with multiple stab wounds. His injuries were described as serious.

A third man was treated at Tauranga Hospital for moderate head injuries and has since been released.

"Police inquiries to date indicate that a fight broke out at a local licensed premises in Pukehina which later cumulated in the fatal attack on the victim at a seperate location," Mr Jones said.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested and will appear at 2.15pm today in Tauranga District Court charged with murder.

Mr Jones said there were a number of further enquires to be completed and asked if anyone had information to contact them.

- NZPA