Three people are dead following an apparent murder-suicide, in the latest of a string of tragedies to hit the Manawatu town of Feilding.
Police arrived at a property at Lees Rd, on the outskirts of the town, mid-morning yesterday, after being called by a visitor to the property.
Inside the house they found the bodies of a middle-aged couple and an elderly man.
There were reports of gunshots at the property, but police have yet to speculate on the deaths.
Locals said the occupants of the property - a lifestyle block of about 20ha - had moved in a few months ago, and a man had been seen tidying up the property.
It is unclear how long the three had been dead, but it is understood a Saturday newspaper had not been collected from the mailbox.
Council staff were seen taking chickens away from the property yesterday, and the house remained cordoned off last night.
The deaths come less than two months after the as-yet-unsolved killing of farmer Scott Guy, and just weeks after the deaths of pilot instructor Jessica Neems and former Feilding resident Lieutenant Timothy O'Donnell, who was killed serving in Afghanistan.
Although police say they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the Lees Rd killings, the deaths have left locals unsettled.
Contractor Christopher Beattie, who lives down the road, said there was some concern among residents.
"I wouldn't be surprised if one or two people started parking shotguns under their bed."
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said while police were keeping an open mind on the case, they were not looking for anyone else.
A scene examination was expected to take a few days, and post mortems had yet to be carried out.
He also moved to dispel any fears of a connection between the killing of Mr Guy and the most recent deaths.
"I understand that the Feilding community will be very upset, but I would like to assure them that while this is a tragedy, I am confident that there is no risk to the community."
