The small West Coast town of Kumara is in shock after a man died violently overnight, the mayor says.
A middle-aged man was found dead at a house in Kumara, 25km south of Greymouth, about 12.45am today.
It was believed he died from injuries suffered during a brawl.
Police spoke with a number of people at the address before charging one man with murder.
The accused was today granted name suppression when he appeared before Justices of the Peace.
His next appearance will be at Christchurch District Court before a judge on Wednesday.
Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh said the death had left the town of around 350 in shock.
"It's like you are watching something unfold in a movie but it's actually happening in your own back yard," she told NZPA.
"I'll be talking to police either today or tomorrow just to make sure there is some victim support available for anybody who may need it.
"The town is very good at pulling together, they'll support each other.
"The ripples go a long way too, because you have people - not only the victim, but the person who gets arrested and charged with this, they all have families too. So it's a high-impact event."
Police have not yet released the name of the victim, who had been renting a house on the outskirts of town.
Ms Pugh said it was not yet known how long the man had been living in Kumara or whether he had family there.
The death has come just two weeks after Ms Pugh wrote to the police area commander asking for a replacement for the former community constable and assurance they would visit Kumara.
"I only last week spoke with the local sergeant about how they were going advertising the position. It was meant to be in the latest police (magazine) but it hasn't made it in there.
"But I could almost guarantee it will be in the next edition."
