Northland police launch homicide inquiry after man dies from poisoning

Northland police want public help after a man died from drinking wine that had been poisoned and left in his letterbox.

Northland police have launched a homicide investigation after their enquiries revealed a Far North man had been fatally poisoned from a bottle of wine left in his letterbox.

Police are appealing to the public for information following the suspicious death of 67-year-old David Davan in December last year.

The Herekino local died in Auckland Hospital on December 9 after becoming unwell in November.

Davan's death was initially treated as unexplained. However, further police enquiries uncovered a more sinister explanation - he had been poisoned.

Police determined he had consumed poisoned wine from two bottles that had been left in his letterbox. An examination revealed only one of the bottles contained poison.

They believed the bottles were likely placed in Davan's letterbox on Puhata Rd sometime in early November 2021.

Although they did not specify what poison had been used to kill Davan, they did say further forensic testing of the bottles was currently underway.

They issued an appeal for help from the local community to identify those responsible for Davan's death.

Anyone with information that may assist the police investigation can phone 105 and quote file number 211114/9270, or visit the Kaitāia Police station in person.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111