A mother killed in a suspected triple-homicide at the Hastings home where she lived with her young daughters and partner was a professional carer.

A mourner at the cordon on Avenue Rd East on Monday said she was devastated at the loss of her friend in a suburban homicide that has shocked the Hawke’s Bay city.

The mum and two of her children - who police on Monday confirmed were under 3 years old - were killed early on Sunday.

An investigation was launched when emergency services were called to the property about 6am after reports of several people being seriously injured.

Detective Inspector Martin James said one person - understood to be a child - was found dead at the scene.

Two people were taken to hospital with critical injuries but later died.

James said the victims were related and lived together at the Avenue Rd East house.

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

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

The mourner, who Hawke’s Bay Today has agreed not to name, said the man in hospital was the woman’s partner and the father of the two dead children.

Both had other children from previous relationships, she said.

Flowers were being laid on Monday by the community as a team of officers worked on an ongoing scene examination around and in the duplex property.

James said close to 30 police officers were working on the homicide investigation.

A nearby resident, who did not want to be named, said she had come down with a bouquet because the situation had “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.

A former colleague of the mother told Stuff that she and her daughters suffered fatal stab wounds.

She said one of the couple’s daughters died at the home and the woman and her other daughter died after being rushed to hospital.

The former colleague told Stuff one of the children was an infant and the other was a toddler.

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.”