Ruakaka murders – bodies of two children, 1 and 4, found inside home as cops launch probe in New Zealand | The Sun

POLICE have launched a murder investigation after two young children were found dead inside a home in a small beachside town.

The youngsters were tragically discovered by cops at the property in Ruakaka, New Zealand, early on Monday morning.

Northland police said they were called to the home on Peter Snell Drive at around 7.30am, where they sadly found two bodies.

The force did not specify the age of the victims, although local media have reported that the two kids are aged one and four.

A local school also paid tribute to the pair, writing a post referencing the "sad loss of two children" on social media.

Emergency services rushed to the property in response to a "sudden death incident", police confirmed.

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No arrests have yet been made as the murder probe remains in its early stages, although cops are speaking with a person of interest.

They said they were not currently pursuing any other suspects in connection to the incident.

Reports have claimed a woman made the call alerting authorities to the tragic scene.

Detective inspector Bridget Doell said: "Our investigation is still in the early stages and we are currently speaking with a person as part of our inquiries.

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"There will be an increased police presence in the area, and we will provide further updates as our investigation progresses.

"While we appreciate the wider interest in what has occurred, police aren’t in a position to release any further details at this stage."

Authorities urged anyone with any information that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Residents in the close-knit town of Ruakaka have been rocked by the deaths of the two children who lived on the quiet residential street.

Local resident Tui Roman told 1News the children's deaths had "been hard felt by everyone in the village."

She continued: "We have a good village. It’s not our village. It’s not our community that does this.

"It’s devastation. It was a horrible thing to wake up and see on Facebook."

Neighbours claimed the youngsters had been living in the area for several years, according to local news outlet Stuff.

The publication reported that their home was managed by New Zealand's social housing provider, Kainga Ora.

Regional director Jeff Murray said police had described the tragedy as a "sudden death incident at one of our properties."

Whangarei Mayor Vince Cocurullo said: "The family and community will be reeling and will need support. This is tragic and shocking."

The principal of One Tree Point School paid tribute to the victims while offering its support to students and the community.

Shirley Winters wrote in a Facebook post: "We are aware of the sad loss of two children in Ruakākā this morning.

"Our sincere aroha and thoughts are with the whānau and everyone concerned.

"We have support systems in place for any of our tamariki who need it."

Bream Bay College principal Wayne Buckland also said his school was aware of a significant incident nearby.

He reassured parents: "We have informed our board of trustees.

'We will continue to monitor the situation and provide support as and when needed.

"We have had no indications of safety issues for our students who are attending school.

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"We have a very good working relationship with the local police, and they have informed us that there are no safety concerns for our students or operations."

Ruakaka is a small seaside town situated around 135km north of Auckland on New Zealand's North Island.  

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