Auckland man found dead in car after pub altercation

An Auckland man has died after what appears to be an altercation with a friend at the back of a pub near the Waikato town of Morrinsville.

The man was discovered dead in the back seat of a car at the rear of Tahuna Tavern about 3.45 pm today.

Police were alerted after ambulance staff confirmed that the man had died.

Senior Sergeant Peter Devoy of Hamilton police said a homicide inquiry had been launched.

A police cordon was set up around the pub and the body was to stay where it was discovered. Forensic experts are expected to examine the scene tomorrow.

The tavern's owner, Lou Stowers, said he discovered the dead man in the car with his companion sitting in the front.

"From what [the companion] told us they had had an altercation and then he [the dead man] got hit on the head with a spade," he said.

"I found him in the car with grazed knees and a big graze on his head. It looked like he had been dragged along the asphalt."

He said the companion was incoherent and acted dazed.

Mr Stowers said the two men had arrived for a farewell party at the pub on Tuesday night.

He said the dead man was a friend of his brother's known to him only as 'Ray'. His companion had been acting strangely that night.

"He was in the toilet with no clothes on and was cutting himself up in the neck."