Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Police say they're still piecing together the events connected to a shooting in Whangārei that left a woman dead and a man with serious injuries.
The fatal shooting happened in a beachfront park in Onerahi at 11.10am on Thursday.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, said a post-mortem examination and formal identification of the woman were taking place on Friday, while the man remained in a serious condition in hospital.
Witnesses told RNZ about hearing gunshots and seeing parents rush their children to the safety of their cars.
The shooting occurred in the Beach Rd Reserve while children were in the playground nearby.
RNZ understands the man and woman were aged in their 60s and had been in a relationship.
Pilmer said the scene examination had been completed but the homicide investigation was still in its early stages.
"Our thoughts are with the woman's whānau and loved ones at this difficult time," he said.
The investigation team was still speaking with people who witnessed the shooting and urged anyone who had not yet spoken to police to come forward.
Police also wanted to hear from anyone with dashcam, phone or CCTV from the Beach Rd, Whangārei Heads Rd, Raurimu Ave and Church St areas between 8am and 11.15am on Thursday.
Any relevant photos or videos could be uploaded to the Operation Ravenwood portal.
Information could be passed on by calling police on 105, quoting file number 250227/1223, or by phoning Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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