Auckland crime: Woman charged with murder after man's death in vehicle incident in Wattle Downs

A homicide investigation is under way after the death of a man in a vehicle incident in Wattle Downs last night.

Police say a woman, 41, has been charged with murder and will appear in Manukau District Court today.

Police responded to reports of a "disorder" incident in Hobart Crescent, near Mahia Rd, at 10.42pm last night.

The focus of police attention in the death is a rental property in Kendall Court.

The rental contains two separate units and a neighbour across the road, Netta Tuia, said detectives were focusing on the unit at the rear.

Tuia, who has lived in the street for 46 years, said officers were there from 10pm until the early hours.

She did not hear anything until the sirens of police as officers arrived in force.

The occupants of the rental that was the focus of police attention had not been there long, but had been quite noisy since their arrival.

"They're always having parties," Tuia said.

Police at the scene in Wattle Downs this morning. A black SUV could be seen covered in a tarpaulin as police investigated. Photo / /Hayden Woodward

Earlier today a black SUV, with doors open, was covered with a blue tarpaulin on Hobart Rd, and Hobart Rd was closed between Mahia Rd and Rainbow Place this morning.

Specialist staff, including detectives and police photography section, were in attendance along with police officers.

Police at the scene of a 'disorder' incident in Wattle Downs, Auckland this morning. Photo / Hayden Woodward

"Police are not currently seeking anyone further in relation to the death, however a number of enquiries remain ongoing," Detective Inspector Karen Bright said.

"Wattle Downs residents can expect to see a continued police presence in the area today."

A neighbour nearby told the Herald they heard the car revving, like someone had their foot sitting on the accelerator.

They said they heard a woman screaming "hard out".

"She sounded angry as, we could only hear her voice," the neighbour said.

"We thought it was just another domestic till we saw the cops."

The couple were apparently quite new to the area and there hadn't been issues with them before today.

One shocked resident said the incident was out of character for the neighbourhood.

"It makes me worried," said Uesili Sangyum, who has lived in Wattle Downs since immigrating from Samoa in 1987.

He said he heard a vehicle speed off out of the dead end Kendall Court and past his house in Hobart Cres.

Shortly after police rushed to the scene and swiftly established a cordon.

It was not until the early hours, shortly after 3am, that the wide cordon was lifted and he was allowed to return to his home.

This morning the street was again quiet and no police were in sight following the removal of the man's body.

Sangyum said the only issue in the area was young people riding dirt bikes up and down and it was otherwise relatively peaceful.