UPDATED 4.43PM: Police are at the scene of an unexplained death in Papakura.

Police said the 54-year-old woman was found in her vehicle outside her home address in Papakura.

She was pronounced dead by ambulance staff at the scene.

Police described the incident as a "sudden death".

"Inquiries are currently being completed to establish the circumstances surrounding her death," police said.

Police officers and family members have said a prayer at the scene.

Family members have moved off the street and into a house, others have left in cars.

The ambulance has left the scene, and the police cordon at the intersection of Alma Crescent and Old Wairoa Rd lifted.

An ambulance was called to Alma Crescent shortly before midday after reports that there was a person lying on a footpath on the street.

A St John spokeswoman said they had since passed the situation on to police.

Asked if the person had died of a medical condition, the spokeswoman said no.

A person whose family lives on the street told the Herald there had been yelling and shouting from the house shortly before an ambulance arrived.

At least two women were seen arguing on the front lawn.

A neighbour said the woman and her daughter had been arguing "all morning".

The woman left the house and got into her car, with her family believing she had driven away. However she was later found inside the car, still parked on the street outside their house.

An ambulance was called, and paramedics had pulled her out of the vehicle and onto the street to try to resuscitate her, he said.

"That's when they saw she had blood on her."

Her daughter also had blood on her, he said, possibly from trying to help her mum from the car.

Neighbours said family arguments were common at the household, and police were regularly called to he address.

Residents said police arrived shortly after an ambulance had and officers covered the body with a sheet. They later put up another sheet, acting like a wall, around the body.

The woman's family is thought to have lived in the area for several years.

Earlier, upset family members gathered outside a house on the street.

A number of them could be seen with their arms around each other for support. Some are sitting on the grass verge hugging.

Police tape had been tied around the area of the street, which was cordoned off at the intersection of Alma Crescent and Old Wairoa Rd.