A man found dead early yesterday (Sunday, 16 November) in a house in Squire Place, New Plymouth has been identified as Peri Niwa, a 31-year-old local man.
Police were called just after midnight to the house in Squire Place and as a result of finding Mr Niwa dead at the house a homicide investigation has been launched.
A post mortem examination will be carried out later today to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward is appealing for help from the local community to help piece together what happened in the lead up to Mr Niwa's death.
It is known that a group of people were drinking together on Blagdon Road and that there appears to have been some sort of confrontation between those people and another group.
After that confrontation at least one person then ran from Blagdon Road to the Squire Place address. Mr Niwa did not live at the Squire Place house but knew the residents.
Anyone who saw or heard anything in the area late Saturday night that might be relevant to the investigation is urged to contact the police.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.