Police have launched a homicide investigation after a woman was killed near Taupo.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen said the woman died at a Mahuta Rd property at Five Mile Bay, near Taupo, this morning.
He said emergency services responded to a report of a 58-year-old woman who had received stab wounds about about 8.30am.
She was being flown to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition when she passed away.
Police have arrested a 56-year-old man, and have charged him with murder.
The man will appear in Rotorua District Court on Monday.
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.
A scene examination is being carried out and detectives are making several enquiries as well as providing support to the victim's family.
A nearby neighbour earlier said there had been no indication anything was wrong and the first she knew was when she noticed a lot of police gathering at the property at around 10am. She did not see an ambulance.
The property has been cordoned off, along with half the adjoining property.
Police could be seen working on the deck at the front of the house, which was shielded by a green tarpaulin. Security was in place at the cordon.
Five Mile Bay is a small settlement of mainly holiday homes about 8km south of Taupo.