Police are investigating an "unexplained death" in Dunedin, with a local saying he found his friend lying on the street.
The witness told 1News he earlier saw a man walking down the street with a piece of wood and heard arguing.
Emergency services were called to Leckhampton Court at around 11pm last night, where a man had been found unresponsive.
"Despite efforts to revive the man, he was pronounced deceased a short time later," Inspector Porima Rangitutia said.
Police were at the scene this morning, with the area taped off and a tent erected behind the cordon.
Local Roderick Woods said he found the man, who was one of his friends, and called 111.
He said he saw a person walking down the road last night, "arguing", and holding a piece of wood.
"He went under the bridge here, and I then went to the bathroom and came back to my room, and it was pretty quiet after that. Then I saw a body lying on the ground after coming back from the bathroom."
Woods said the man had blood on his face but did not know the extent of his injuries.
"I have not been to sleep at all. It's hit a lot of me, really. The police took me away last night – they took me to the station. I've been at the station from at least maybe 2am to about 4am."
A scene guard was in place overnight, with an examination being carried out today.
Leckhampton Court is closed between South Road and St Helliers Court. It is expected to remain closed for "most of the day".
Woods said police had "a lot of dealings sound this area".
"Boy racers come up round here, doing wheelies up at the top of the street, we have people doing burnouts outside our house."
He described the man as "a really good person" who was "pretty out the gate".
"Just so sorry for the family right now."
Police urged anyone with information that could help the investigation to come forward.
"We’re interested in any unusual or suspicious activity on Leckhampton Court between 10.30pm and 11pm yesterday evening," Rangitutia said.
"Additionally, anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage from the area between those times is asked to contact Police via 105."
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