Three people dead after serious incident in Papatoetoe, police say

Three people have died following a serious incident at a home in Papatoetoe with police saying there is no wider risk to the public.

Police were called to Cambridge Terrace at about 6.40pm on Thursday after reports of a dead person at an address.

Officers arrived and found three people dead inside the home.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright says the investigation is in its early stages and police are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

“We are waiting for the completion of the scene examination, which will help us piece together the circumstances that led to this tragic event,” Bright said.

Police cordons are expected to remain in place as investigators examine the property and work to establish what happened.

Police have cordoned off a section of Cambridge Terrace as they investigate the deaths and work to establish what happened. Photo/RNZ/Nate McKinnon

Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray said police were responding to a serious incident and asked people to stay away from the area while emergency services worked at the scene.

The deaths have shocked neighbours in the South Auckland community.

Papatoetoe resident Quentin Fenton told RNZ he saw ambulances and police arrive before seeing a body on the front porch of the home.

Photo/RNZ/Felix Watson

Fenton said he had sent his four children to the shops about 10 minutes earlier and they had walked past the house, waving to a man outside.

He said the people living at the home were “good people” who had previously helped him jump-start his car.

“It’s a big shock,” Fenton said. “Too close to home.”

He said the incident had left his family shaken. “I’ve got four kids myself, just a bit freaked out by this.”

Bright says police are supporting the whānau of those who died as well as neighbours affected by what happened.

Listen to Auckland councillor and former police officer Alf Filipaina's full interview in July on Pacific Mornings about ACT's proposed "three strikes" policy.

“Police recognise events like this hit at the hearts of our communities, and we are doing everything we can to answer the many questions around this devastating incident.”

Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while the investigation continues.

Police have not yet released the identities of those who died or details about how they died.

The scene examination and other inquiries are expected to continue overnight.