A manhunt's underway after a brutally beaten body was found in a stairwell of a block of Auckland flats.
Emergency services were called to the Housing New Zealand complex on the corner of Great North Rd and Ivanhoe Rd in Western Springs, around 11 last night.
The 69-year-old victim, who is yet to be identified, is thought to have lived at the flats.
Police have released an image of a man who they believe could assist with their enquiries.
"We are in the very early stages of our investigation and are still in the process of identifying the victim," said Detective Inspector Scott Beard.
Reporter Anna Leask is at the scene and says about 20 officers are present.
She says they're dusting for finger prints, placing evidence tags around the lawn and combing for clues.
Police are seeking the public's help in identifying this man in relation to a 'violent' murder in Western Springshttps://t.co/9zV6gtU3Cn pic.twitter.com/jJokRNzoDt
— Newstalk ZB (@NewstalkZB) September 27, 2017
The block of one- and two-bedroom flats backs onto Ivanhoe Rd, a cul-de-sac near the Northwestern Motorway.
The man lives on third floor of the building closest to the road.
A woman who lives in the building said the victim was her neighbour.
She said it was "scary and upsetting" to think that a person she knew well had been killed.
"I just don't know who would do such a thing," she said.
She was away from her home last night and another neighbour called her this morning.
"My neighbour thought it was me," she said.
"It's just so sad."
The man's neighbour said he lived alone. Most people in the building were older, she said.
"He was pretty quiet ... why did they kill him? He was a nice man, he was a nice person."
The flats have been cordoned off with police tape.
A witness said about 18 officers were onsite and about 10 police cars have parked near the property.
A tent has been put up on the street outside and another near the entrance to the flats.
Housing New Zealand would not answer questions about the investigation or what it was doing to ensure the safety of the other tenants.
"Housing New Zealand will not be making any comment on this matter as it is the subject of an ongoing police investigation," communications manager Glenn Conway said.
Anyone with information about the murder, is asked to contact their local police station or Detective Sergeant Phil Cox on (09) 302 6557.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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