A man in his early 20s has appeared in court on an assault charge after a woman and two young children were found dead at a Rotorua home, prompting police to launch a homicide investigation.
Emergency services were called to a High Street property in Glenholme shortly before 10.30pm on Monday. Police found two young children dead at the scene and a woman suffering life-threatening injuries.
Despite efforts by police and ambulance crews to save her, the woman died at the property.
Police are treating all three deaths as homicides and have begun an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
A man found at the address was taken into custody and was initially described by police as assisting with their enquiries. Police said they were not seeking anyone else in connection with the incident.
On Tuesday, a man aged in his early 20s appeared in the Rotorua District Court charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship.
According to state media, he appeared by audio-visual link wearing white coveralls. The court heard that charging documents named three victims.
Interim name suppression was granted for both the accused and the victims. The man was remanded in custody until 2 October.
Police have not announced any homicide charges, and their investigation into the three deaths remains ongoing.
Bay of Plenty acting district commander Inspector Logan Marsh described the deaths as an “incredibly traumatic incident for all those involved”.
“Our focus now is on supporting the family, our first responders and getting answers to what occurred last night,” Marsh said.
Police maintained a scene guard at the High Street property overnight, with a detailed forensic examination beginning on Tuesday. Marsh said the examination could continue for several days as investigators work to establish what happened and why.
“We know this event will be felt widely in the community and people will want answers,” he said. “We are methodically working through the scene, including a detailed forensic examination.”
Additional police patrols are also being carried out in Glenholme and the wider Rotorua community following the deaths.
“We know people will be understandably shaken following this incident,” Marsh said.
Police have asked the public to avoid speculation while investigators work through the evidence.
“Out of respect for the victims and their family, we ask that people refrain from speculation or conjecture. Our focus remains on establishing exactly what occurred and providing answers for those affected.”
Police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
