Two people are dead – and a suspect on the run – after a "serious incident" in South Auckland this afternoon, with police now launching a double homicide investigation.
Police provided an update on the investigation just before 6pm.
Earlier, multiple schools in the Wattle Downs area of Manurewa were locked down with armed police sweeping through the streets.
A man and a woman were found dead after emergency services were called to an address on Gambare Place at around 1.45pm.
Armed officers were seen near Mahia Rd and Volante Ave in the south Auckland suburb shortly after 2.45pm. (Source: 1News)
Manhunt underway after two found dead in South Auckland - Watch on TVNZ+
Counties Manukau Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said an offender fled the scene prior to officers arriving and still has not been located.
"Our teams will be working through the night to find the person or persons, who we believe are responsible for this crime," he said in a statement.
"We know the community will be understandably alarmed by what has occurred, and we are doing everything we can to locate this person and hold them to account.
"While this appears to be an isolated incident at this stage, we are unable to rule anything out."
Do you know more? Contact us at news@tvnz.co.nz
Cordons remained in place while police conducted a scene examination at a Gambare Place address, according to Va’aelua.
“This is an awful set of events and no doubt unsettling for everyone involved and the wider community," he said.
“We are now working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Detective Inspector Va’aelua said post-mortem examinations will take place in due course, which will include formal identification procedures.
"Residents of the area can expect to see an increase in police presence as they make inquiries," he said.
Man and woman found dead earlier today
Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said earlier today that the female victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
“During a search of the property, police located a man who was also pronounced deceased,” he said.
St John said a rapid response unit, an ambulance, and an operations manager responded to the incident on Gambare Place at around 1.58pm.
Nearby on Volante Avenue, a grey undertaker's vehicle took position at about 4.30pm, where a large group of police officers gathered and a white sheet was erected.
Police earlier confirmed two bodies were located at Gambare Place.
Cordons in place in local area
Cordons were in place at Mahia Rd, with police advising nearby schools to lock down and asking all members of the public to avoid the area.
Some residents have been left unable to return to their homes, with some held back by the cordon for more than an hour.
One man said he had been waiting over an hour, but was reluctant to press armed officers for more information.
"I'm pretty concerned because my house is open, and I think they're looking for someone, so I'm not too sure," he said.
Another resident who lives nearby said he had been waiting since about 3.20pm and had been given no indication of when he could go home.
"I live just over down there. Can't exactly get in due to the police blockade."
Thousands of students were locked down
Speaking to 1News, Manurewa-Papakura councillor Daniel Newman said the Ministry of Education had advised several school communities in the vicinity to initiate a lockdown.
Thousands of students in the surrounding area were affected, he said.
Newman said the schools went into lockdown at about a quarter past two.
"That protocol has now been lifted, and the students within the school campuses in this area are now exiting and heading home, notwithstanding the fact that the police have still got a controlled activity underway," he said.
Newman said police were "taking a precautionary approach" given the operation underway, adding that Counties Manukau officers were working in a "complex environment" with thousands of people and students moving through the area.
Takanini MP Rima Nakhle has urged residents to "remain vigilant while our police conduct their work".
"I know this must be causing distress for many, and my heart is with you all, but please stay put while our police conduct their work at pace," she said in a social media post.
SHARE ME