Police have launched a homicide inquiry after a man found critically injured on the side of the road died in Rotorua Hospital.

Police say four men took the man to the hospital on Saturday night.

Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow said police were alerted at 7.10pm that the 20-year-old man had been brought to Rotorua Hospital by the men, who had advised hospital staff they had found him injured on a roadside.

The man died in hospital a short time later.

Police are working to establish the circumstances leading to the man’s injuries, including speaking to the four men.

Police would like to hear from anybody who may have witnessed any type of motor vehicle incident on Saturday night between 5pm and 7pm on State Highway 33 between Paengaroa and Rotorua.

Anyone with information that could help the police’s investigation should call 105 and quote file number 250726/5566.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Rotorua Daily Post has asked police for more information about the case, including specifically where the man was found and why police suspected a motor vehicle incident was involved.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.