Woman dies as police try to save her

Police tried in vain to save the life of a 30-year-old woman at Ruakaka, south of Whangarei, after she was stabbed last night.

The victim, who is yet to be formally identified, died as police tried to keep her alive in the Te Kamo Place house in Ruakaka shortly after 9pm.

Police were first to arrive but were soon joined by ambulance officers who took over the emergency resuscitation, Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie said.

A 15-year-old has been charged with assault and will appear in the Whangarei Youth Court tomorrow.

She may face other charges but that would not be decided until after the post mortem, Mr Begbie said.

"Exactly what the charges will be that she faces hasn't been determined at this point. We really need the benefit of both our scene examination and the post-mortem examination."

He said the scene examination was still happening and police would speak to anyone who was at the address.

"It was a family violence incident and the two ladies involved are related."

NZP