16 May 2023

Woman charged with murder following deaths of two children in Ruakākā

2:54 pm on 16 May 2023
Police set up cordons after two bodies were found at a property on Peter Snell Drive in Northland on 15 May, 2023.

Police at the scene in Northland on Monday. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro

A woman has been charged with murder after two children were found dead in a Ruakākā home yesterday.

Police were called to a property in Peter Snell Drive about 6.25am where the children were found dead.

The woman appeared in Whangārei District Court shortly before noon today, charged with two counts of murder.

She was granted interim name suppression and has been remanded in custody without plea.

The two deceased children cannot be named.

The woman is due to appear in the High Court at Whangārei on 2 June.

In a statement, Northland police said they would continue to support the Ruakākā community through the difficult time.

"This is an incredibly distressing situation for the family involved, along with first responders and police who attended."

There will be an increased police presence in the area for the next few days.