Woman found dead in Judea

Police have launched a homicide inquiry after a woman’s body was found in the driveway of a property in the Tauranga suburb of Judea.

The woman, reported to have been stabbed, was found dead outside a Bell Street property just before 2pm today.

A man, believed to be aged in his 40s or 50s, is helping police with their inquiries.

Police are investigating the death of a woman at a property in Bell Street.

Police have cordoned off a section of the street while they investigate.

Bay of Plenty police spokesperson Kim Perks says a member of the public reported a dispute between a man and woman outside a Bell Street address at 2pm.

On arrival police discovered a woman deceased by the driveway to the property.

Kim says police believe they know who the woman is but need to formally identify her and notify next of kin. No further details about her will be released until that process has been completed.

It is understood the man and the woman involved in the dispute were known to one another.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says the cause of death is unknown at this stage.

"The investigation is in its very early stages, the scene is still to be examined and a post mortem will need to be held.

"It would be wrong of me to speculate about the cause of death this early in the piece."

A Bell Street resident, who did not wish to be named, says she saw police and a St John Ambulance go past her house just before 2pm and went outside to have a look.

She says she saw a woman lying outside a property about six houses down from her house.

“There was a woman lying on the ground.

“Police told us to go home and stay indoors.”

The age of the woman is not yet known.

The scene has been cordoned off and will be preserved overnight for a detailed examination tomorrow. An area canvass is underway and police are speaking to witnesses.

Police are investigating a stabbing in Bell Street in Judea.