It is understood that the victim, a 36-year-old woman, was stabbed during a "girls' day out" celebration, in which a group of female friends were getting their nails and lashes beautified at the School Rd, Te Atatu house.
Police were called to a house on School Rd shortly after 4pm following reports a woman had been stabbed. She died soon after.
Police say a 36-year-old woman has been charged with murder. Witnesses at the scene described seeing a woman being taken away by police.
Neighbour Siua Katinaki told the New Zealand Herald her teenage son saw women fighting on the front lawn of the house shortly before 4pm.
"They were yelling and screaming, pulling hair. One lady threw a chair at the other lady, and she ran inside to try and escape."
She said the celebration started about 11am, when a number of women arrived and were having a nice, quiet gathering.
"It was just a few ladies."
One of the women yelled at her son to leave and "mind his own business," and the police arrived soon after.
She said the woman who lives at the address was seen speaking with ambulance staff after the incident.
According to Fairfax, the victim was in her 30s and a mother of two.
The couple who rented the house were lovely and friendly, and never had parties.
"They have lived there for about a year. She is very nice, they always say hello even when we see them at the supermarket we talk to her and her husband."
Officers were still at the scene this morning, after guarding it overnight, Ms Katinaki said.
