## Two Deaths in Pukehina: Investigation Underway
An investigation is underway following the deaths of two people at separate properties on Old Coach Road in Pukehina, Bay of Plenty. Police were initially called to the area on Thursday, January 1, 2026, and later returned in the early hours of Friday, January 2, 2026.### Initial Incident & Arrest
Police were first called to a house on Old Coach Road around 3:00 PM on Thursday, January 1, 2026, after a woman was found dead. A 50-year-old man was arrested and charged in relation to her death with assault on a person in a family relationship. He is scheduled to appear in Tauranga District Court on Friday, January 2, 2026. RNZ first reported on this incident.
### Second death & Investigation
In the early hours of Friday, January 2, 2026, police were called back to the same property and discovered a man deceased in a separate house. His death is currently being treated as unexplained. Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson stated that scene examinations are being conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding both deaths.RNZ reports that police are not ruling out further arrests or charges.
### Police Appeal for Data
Police are appealing to the public for information regarding activity at the old Coach Road address between 7:00 PM on Wednesday,December 31,2025,and 3:00 AM on Friday,January 2,2026.Anyone with information is urged to contact police via 105, either online or by phone, and reference file number 260101/9901.
### Further Steps
Post-mortems will be conducted on both the woman and the man to help determine the cause of death.
### Key Takeaways
* Two people have died in Pukehina, Bay of Plenty.
* A 50-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the woman’s death.
* The death of the man is currently being treated as unexplained.
* Police are seeking information from the public.
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