Homicide inquiry after woman, 17, found dead in Mangere, South Auckland

South Auckland police have begun a homicide investigation after a dead 17-year-old woman was found in Mangere.

The teen was found at an address in Buckland Rd over the weekend and has yet to be formally identified.

Former X factor NZ contestant Ashley Tonga told her Facebook followers she had lived in the house for the past decade up until a week ago.

She did not live at the house when the body was found.

The reality television star urged people to ring the police and ask them about it instead of contacting her.

A Housing New Zealand spokesman confirmed that the house was one of its properties but said the long-term tenants moved out on June 28.

STOP ASKING ME WHAT HAPPENED ON BUCKLAND! SHIT YOUS ARE ANNOYING! RING THE POLICE AND ASK THEM! I’m deactivating my Facebook 🤦🏽‍♀️

Posted by Ashley Tonga on Sunday, 8 July 2018

"Police have been conducting a scene examination at the address and are following lines of inquiries to establish the circumstances around the death," Detective Inspector Tofilau Faa Vaaelua said.

An autopsy is being conducted today.

Neighbours told the Herald police and emergency staff started arriving at the property yesterday.

One neighbour, who asked not to be identified, said a large tent was put up at the back of the property.

"By about lunchtime, we saw them come out with a body."

The neighbour said they saw officers walk out from the back of the property with a stretcher with a black sheet covering a body.

Neighbours said a family who had lived at the house for a long time had moved out between two to three weeks ago.

It was not known whether a new family had moved in already.

A neighbour said police officers door-knocked homes yesterday asking whether anyone had seen a young woman around the area.

At the scene this afternoon, a large blue tent has been put up in the front yard.

Police tape runs around the front of the driveway and there are police officers and security staff standing guard.

The curtains of the front door are partially open and forensic officers wearing face masks can be seen inside.