A 21-year-old man has been charged with murder after the death of a woman in Tauranga overnight.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Barron said a 37-year-old woman died after sustaining neck injuries at Huria Marae.
Police were called to the marae at 11.50pm.
The woman was taken to Tauranga Hospital in a critical condition, Barron said.
She died from her injuries a short time later.
The man is appearing in Tauranga District Court this morning.
A tangi for respected leader Dr Morehu Ngatoko Rahipere is under way at the marae.
Thousands were expected to attend the farewell, including a representative of Maori King Te Arikinui Tūheitia Paki.