UPDATE 9.33am: A homicide investigation has been launched after the death of a man in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert.

The man is believed to have died outside the Renton Road address in the early hours of this morning.

His body remains on the street covered by a tent.

An associate of the dead man was taken by ambulance to Auckland Hospital shortly after midnight.

He underwent emergency surgery and is in a stable condition.

Police were called to the incident by people associated with the address.

Investigating officers, alongside ESR scientists, are this morning focused on getting underway with a detailed scene examination.

They will be speaking to witnesses and canvassing local residents for any information that might assist in locating those involved in the incident.