Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of two young children in the New Zealand Ruakaka village.
Northland police visited a property on Peter Snell Drive Monday morning and found two bodies without specifying their ages.
Local media reported that the two deceased are one and four years old, while a local school acknowledged the “sad loss of two children” on social media.
Several emergency services attended, including police, who confirmed that the officers had attended a “sudden death incident”.
“Our investigation is still in the early stages and we are currently speaking to one person as part of our investigations,” Detective Inspector Bridget Doell said.
Northland police responded to a property on Peter Snell Drive Monday morning and found two bodies without specifying their age (in photo, police on scene)
“There will be an increased police presence in the area and we will provide further updates as our investigation progresses.”
Detective Inspector Bridget Doell said no one else was wanted in connection with the incident.
Police were seen talking to neighbors on the quiet residential street.
Local news outlet Stuff reports that the house was managed by Kainga Ora, New Zealand’s social housing provider.
Kainga Ora Regional Director Jeff Murray said police described the deaths as a “sudden death incident at one of our properties.”
Whangarei Mayor Vince Cocurullo described the incident as “tragic and shocking”.
“The family and the community will be reeling and will need support,” Cocurullo told the Northern Advocate on Monday.
Local media reported that the two deceased are one and four years old, while the local school also posted on Facebook the “sad loss of two children” (Pictured Peter Snell Drive)
The One Tree Point school principal sent her love to the Ruakaka community and said support was available for students.
“We are aware of the sad loss of two children in Ruakākā this morning,” Principal Shirley Winters wrote on Facebook.
‘Our sincere thoughts and aroha are with the whānau and all involved. We have support systems for any of our tamariki that need it.
Bream Bay College Principal Wayne Buckland said staff were reassured that students were safe to attend school and that support was available for them.
‘We have informed our board of directors. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support where needed,” Mr Buckland told Stuff.
Ruakaka, a small beachside community, is located about 135 km north of Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand.