Otahuhu woman dead, man charged with murder

A man has been charged with murder after a woman's body was found in the Counties Manukau area early today.


Counties Manukau Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini said police were called to an Otahuhu address at 1.30am.


"A 34-year old woman was found deceased. A 37-year old male, who also lives at the address, has been charged with her murder," he said.


The man appeared in Manukau District Court this morning, and was remanded in custody until Monday.


A post mortem examination is scheduled for tomorrow morning. Mr Pizzini said the dead woman's name would not be released until her next of kin had been notified.


The homicide team, consisting of 12 detectives and uniformed officers, were not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, he said.

Mr Pizzini later confirmed the dead woman was Samantha Rangiawha, 34, unemployed, of Otahuhu.



He said a weapon had been found at the scene, but would not comment further.


- NZPA