Man dies after brawl in Kaitaia

A young Northland man is dead following a brawl in the main street of Kaitaia early today.

Senior Sergeant Dave Palmer of Kaitaia police said the man was in a fight outside the Kaitaia Hotel at about 1.40 am and died shortly after.

Police have launched a homicide inquiry with 30 officers from around Northland working on the case.

Mr Palmer said police were appealing for members of the public who saw the fight to contact the Kaitaia police. He would not name the dead man, believed to be in his late teens.

Mr Palmer said a post mortem was to be carried out today.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE