The social housing complex on Barrington Street, in the Christchurch suburb of Spreydon, where a person died. Photo: Nathan Mckinnon
- Police were called to a Barrington Street property on Wednesday afternoon
- The death is being treated as unexplained
- Police have not confirmed reports a child has died
People at a social housing complex in Christchurch are shocked by an unexplained death at the property, with one neighbour saying she feels "sick to her stomach".
Reports suggested a child had died at the complex on Barrington Street in Spreydon on Wednesday afternoon, although police would not confirm the age of the person who died.
A child's scooter could be seen outside the home.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, told RNZ she saw emergency services in the area, but did not hear a commotion.
"Our other flatmate came back home from work and said that there were heaps of ambulances and cops across the road," she said.
"There was a guy standing, like facing towards the fence with his hands above his head and the cop standing behind him.
"Our other flatmate was speaking to a neighbour and they said that there were heaps of ambulances, cops, fire trucks.
"They also mentioned that there were heaps of like, little kids on scooters around the area."
Photo: Nathan Mckinnon
The woman said she would be distressed to learn that a child had died.
"That makes me feel sick to the stomach," she said.
On Thursday morning, police said they were treating the death as unexplained.
"Police are continuing to make enquiries into a death at an address on Barrington Street yesterday," they said.
"At this time, the death is being treated as unexplained."
Oranga Tamariki is refusing to say whether it has been involved with the family.
The Ministry for Children referred all comment to police and refused to say whether they had any involvement with the family.
"As this is a police-led investigation ... all enquiries are best directed to them," Oranga Tamariki said.
Police refused an interview request from RNZ and did not answer specific questions about deceased's age and gender, or whether CIB were handling the investigation.
In a statement, Kāinga Ora regional director for Canterbury Liz Krause said the agency's thoughts were with the friends and whānau of the person who died.
"While this death is under police investigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."