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A brawl in a Southland tavern has led to the 11th violent death so far this year.
A man died of injuries sustained in a fight at the Mossburn Hotel, between Lumsden and Te Anau, about 2.35am yesterday.
The man's name and other details had not been released last night.
Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy said Invercargill police had arrested a 47-year-old local man. He has been charged with an assault and will appear in Invercargill District Court tomorrow.
Police said yesterday a post mortem examination was yet to be held and the inquiry was in its early stages. Further charges may be laid. Police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the death.
Bev Brady, owner of Mossburn General Store, said the town was extremely upset.
"They are both local guys ... all very nice people involved. It's really out of character. The town is devastated. This is a small place, only about 300 people. Everyone will be either related or will know them. Everybody knows everybody.
"I've had customers bursting into tears in here today."
Brady said she couldn't believe the death had been intentional.
"People become a bit blasé because it's been happening so much lately," said Brady, referring to the high number of homicides around the country since January 1.
"But this is very sad."
The police say historically there is an increase in homicides around the holiday period.
It is often linked to increased alcohol consumption and stress caused by debt.
Police Minister Annette King has also suggested that the long hot summer and full moon were partly to blame for the recent "unusual events".
But police also say that in the past three years the overall number of homicides has fallen, with 57 last year, 61 in 2006 and 67 in 2005.
