Bay of Plenty Police are investigating a fatal stabbing in Kawerau.

A 31-year-old man has been granted name suppression after he appeared in the Whakatane District Court today charged in connection to the homicide.

The scene in Kawerau where police are investigating a fatal stabbing.

A man is facing an assault charge and police say more charges are likely.

Detective Inspector Tim Anderson says police received a 111 call in relation to a serious assault at an address in Holyoake Crescent, Kawerau about 8pm.

'Police arrived and found one woman and two men at the address.

'One of the men, a 23-year-old, was dead with fatal injuries to his neck. A formal identification of the man is yet to be established.”

The property in Kawerau is under scene guard today as a scene examination gets underway with forensic scientists.

Tim says a forensic post mortem will also take place today.

The alleged offender is due back in court on January 16.