A man is dead following a domestic dispute at a remote property in the Franklin district, south of Auckland.
The Armed Offenders Squad was called to a rural property in Whiriwhiri, near Waiuku, about 11am on Monday after reports a man with a shotgun was threatening occupants of the house.
Police say the domestic dispute began on Sunday night and the man returned to the home the next morning with a gun.
Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher says the body of the man, 46, was found in a shed on the property.
He says it is believed the man died some time before police arrived, but not of gun shot wounds. No one else is being sought in relation to the death.
Police also found a woman hiding in the house. She had minor injuries and was being treated at Middlemore Hospital in Auckland.
The occupants of the house were known to police and locals say there was often trouble at the home.
The incident has shocked the rural community. More than 20 properties were cordoned off for more than three hours on Monday, with many residents forced to stay indoors.
A post-mortem is due to be carried out on Tuesday. The case will then be referred to the coroner.
