Armed police are seen at the top of Totara Road in Miramar, Wellington, after a person was found dead at a residential property on 16 October, 2023. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police have launched a homicide investigation after a death of a woman in the Wellington suburb of Miramar.
Officers were called to a residential address on Totara Road just after 2pm today, after a woman in her 60s was found deceased at the house.
Earlier today an eye witness said he saw four armed officers outside the property on Totara Road.
Chris Budge said two were beside the car and two beside the letter box and they looked as if they were ready to go into the house.
Police block the road at corner of Totara Road and Napier Street after a person was found dead at a residential property on 16 October, 2023. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
"The police were in a significantly defensive pose, rifles drawn, it looked as if they were going in to contain a premises," Budge said.
He said he was not surprised to learn that someone had died.
Budge also said it was armed patrol officers and not members of the Armed Offenders Squad.
In total he said there were five police cars at the bottom of Totara Road and about seven officers outside the house, and unmarked cars had been let through the road block.
In a statement, Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said police wanted to hear from anyone in the Totara Road area who saw or heard anything suspicious between early Saturday morning and early Sunday morning.
Police officers will remain in the area overnight and tomorrow morning, as a scene examination takes place, said Leitch.
Cordons will also remain in place around the address for the next few days and he thanked residents for their ongoing support and cooperation.
Leitch did not believe there to be any risk to the wider community.
If anyone had information police are asking the public to get in touch via 105 and quote file number 231016/0002.