An 18-year-old man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead in the early hours of this morning following an incident in Wakari, Dunedin.

The man is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court on January 16.

Police were called to a residential address on Helensburgh Rd shortly before 3am.

A spokesperson said a woman was found deceased at the scene.

“One person is in custody in relation to the incident.

“At this stage, police are not in a position to provide further details about the woman’s identity, however, will look to do so in due course.”

Inquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.

A homicide investigation was launched.

The Otago Daily Times reported a woman and her young son moved into the house recently.

Neighbours told the ODT that they saw lights and heard noises coming from the house last night - but thought nothing of it.

The residents had only lived in the neighbourhood for a few months, the neighbours said.

It is believed they were renting the house.