Police speaking to man in relation to Whangarei homicide inquiry

Police are talking to a 29-year-old Whangärei man in relation the homicide inquiry that was launched this morning after the body of a woman was found in a city stream.

Police were called just after 4am today alerting them to a body in the Waiarohia Stream near Tawera Road and Porowini Avenue.
Cordons were placed around the area and still remain in place while the scene examination is completed.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie says the deceased woman was aged 21 years, but police are still to confirm her identity following the post mortem, which is being carried out in Auckland this afternoon.

Mr Begbie says Police believe the 29-year-old man and the victim were known to each other and Police are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Tawera Road area overnight and up until about 4am.

"Someone may have seen something unusual that has caught their eye or noticed suspicious activity around Tawera Road and Porowini Avenue. Any information could help us establish what may have happened before the woman was found in the stream."

About 30 police, including investigative, road policing and frontline staff, have been involved in the inquiry today and Police still have a large number of people to talk to and a number of scenes to examine.

Anyone with information on this matter can contact Whangärei Police on 09 430 4500.