Police name dead Whangarei girl

Armed police searching cars in Whangarei last night. Picture / Tania Webb

Police have named a 17-year-old girl whose body was found in Whangarei yesterday.

It is believed Mairina Dunn, a student from the town, may have died in the early hours of yesterday. However, her body was not found until later on Sunday and a local resident reported hearing shots during the afternoon.

A homicide inquiry has been launched and a post-mortem is due to be carried out tomorrow.

The resident, who asked not to be named, reported hearing four gunshots fired in a house in Holmes Avenue, in the suburb of Otangarei, late yesterday afternoon.

She also heard yelling and warnings being shouted. "I was scared," she said.

Family members and neighbours were outside the house this afternoon watching police conduct their investigation.

There were several unmarked cars are at the scene and a large truck blocking the home from view.

The area is home to a tight-knit community with many neighbours knowing the dead girl. There has been speculation the incident may have been gang related, Newstalk ZB reported.

Police said they wanted to hear from anyone who has information on activities in the Holmes Avenue area yesterday.

Northland police communications officer Sarah Kennett said several people were being questioned but would not say whether any were suspects.

Armed police officers swooped on Otangarei yesterday afternoon, cordoning off streets and searching vehicles and pedestrians.

Detective Senior Sergeant Marty Ruth said: "We are investigating the circumstances of the death ... We are talking to a number of people."

Asked when the woman had died, he said police were following a "range of events over the last two days".

Police this afternoon said they were following "positive lines of inquiry".

Whangarei police resources were stretched to capacity by the incident, which is the third homicide in as many months in Northland.

Police were likely to release more information about the case this afternoon.

- NZPA, NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI), NZHERALD STAFF