Police investigating unexplained death in central Auckland, witnesses say woman fell from apartment block

The scene this morning on Gore St, Auckland, where a woman fell to her death early today. Photo / Michael Neilson

Neighbours heard screaming and loud noises after a woman fell to her death from an Auckland city high-rise apartment - reportedly an Airbnb rental being used for a party.

But police investigating the death after the party in the ninth floor apartment of the Auckland Harbour Suites complex in Gore St say it is not being treated as suspicious.

Witnesses say loud noises were heard before and after the woman fell early on Sunday morning. She was reportedly at the party in the apartment, which is an Airbnb rental.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 3.40am after the death was reported.

"The woman's death is not being treated as suspicious and will be referred to the Coroner," a police spokeswoman said in a statement.

Cordons were in place for a time on Sunday morning while officers carried out a scene examination.

The cordon had lifted just before 9am, although a ladder remained leaning on the awning outside the complex.

One resident of the apartment block said he could hear loud noises coming from one of the rooms before there was a loud bang, followed by screams.

Another resident told the Herald it was "chaos" on the street outside shortly after.

"There were police cars everywhere, the street was full."

Four police officers were seen at the apartment block on Sunday afternoon.

One was taking pictures of the building from the opposite side of the road while another left the building carrying two brown paper bags and a box of gloves after talking to reception staff.

One resident of the apartment block, who didn't want to be named, said they heard loud noises and what sounded like a woman screaming just after 3.30am.

Emergency services were on the street shortly afterwards.

In a statement to Stuff, Airbnb's head of public policy for New Zealand and Australia Derek Nolan said the company was devastated to learn of the incident.

"We are shocked and saddened by this tragic incident and we are fully committed to supporting police in their investigations.

"The safety of our community is one of our top priorities and at the very centre of everything we do - and we are devastated to hear of incidents such as these, regardless of how rarely they occur."

The manager of The Liquor Spot, one store down from the suites, said he arrived at midday to find at least 10 police officers on Gore St, coming in and out of the building.

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