Man arrested, charged with murder over Otaki sudden death

Police are at the scene where a man in his 50s died last night. Photo / File

Police have charged a 33-year-old with murder following the discovery of a man's body in Ōtaki.

Emergency services were called to a Mill Rd address about 7.40pm yesterday, where a man in his 50s was reportedly injured.

Despite receiving medical treatment, he died at the scene. A post-mortem examination will be done tomorrow.

Police arrested a man in connection with the death today. He is due to appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow.

The man, a Otaki local, is known to the victim.

Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the man's death.

The investigation is ongoing and there will be an increased police presence in Otaki over the coming days.

A scene examination will continue tomorrow.

Neighbours of the suspected homicide victim say he was a "really nice guy" who lived a quiet life.

One neighbour said the victim was a quiet man he had spoken to a few times in passing and never had any problems with.

"We didn't communicate much at all, really. He kept to himself and I kept to myself."

Another neighbour said she lived close enough that she could reach out the window and touch the victim's house, but despite being home last night she heard nothing next door.

The first she knew of the death was when she woke up this morning to see the house "alive with police".

"We live in a quiet little town," she said.

"I'm surprised because I didn't see him very often, but he was a nice guy. There was a couple of nice other people."

She said the man rented rooms out in his home, and a new renter had just moved in recently.

A scene examination by police and ESR has been ongoing today, and is expected to continue into tomorrow.

Police confirmed they were treating the death as a homicide.