Flowers are being laid at the scene of a suspected triple-homicide that left a woman and two children under 3 years old dead in suburban Hastings.

An investigation was launched after emergency services were called to the Avenue Rd East property, about 6am on Sunday, after reports of several people being seriously injured.

Detective Inspector Martin James said one person was found dead at the scene and two people were taken to hospital with critical injuries but later died.

“Police can now advise the three victims were a woman and two young children who lived at the Avenue Rd East house,” James said.

“A man who lived at the property was also transported to hospital and is undergoing surgery today.

“Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, however no charges have been laid at this time.”

James said the victims were related and the children were under 3.

A team of 30 was working on the homicide investigation, and a scene examination would continue today.

A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, went to lay flowers near the duplex property at the centre of the investigation on Monday morning.

She said the situation really hit home when she learned it involved children.

A police tent had been erected at the scene, and a blue hatchback in the driveway of the property was removed about 9am.

A karakia was also set to be conducted on Monday.

Neighbours spoken to by Hawke’s Bay Today said they heard no noise from the home on Saturday night or Sunday morning, and the first they had heard of the homicides was when news articles began to appear late on Sunday morning.

They described the area as a generally quiet piece of suburban NZ.

James said police appreciated it was a “distressing incident” that would no doubt be concerning to nearby residents.

“I would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, contained to this specific group of people, and there is no risk to the wider public.”