More details have emerged about the family harm incident in Hamilton this morning where a young child was violently killed.

Neighbours say a woman at the address ran to a neighbour’s house to get help.

She was “dragged” back to her home by the alleged offender.

It is understood the alleged offender is her partner or former partner.

The woman was injured and the alleged offender was also rushed to hospital with self-inflicted injuries.

A young child died and it is understood at least one other was injured.

The couple are thought to have four children in total.

Neighbours have spoken to the Herald about seeing police carry two young children out of the property - a “lifeless” baby and a slightly older infant.

Police forensic specialists are at the house carrying out a scene examination.

Bystanders talk to Police on Douglas Crescent, Hamilton, where a violent attack resulted in the death of a child and injuries to its mother New Zealand Herald photograph by Dean Purcell 01 January 2025

The walls of the doorway of a home behind the cordon are covered in smeared blood.

It not the home where the victims lived.

Neighbours are congregating and watching police work, several brought to tears over the violence that occurred only metres from their homes.

Police forensics at the scene of a homicide investigation on Douglas Cres, Hamilton where neighbours claim a baby was killed. Photo / Dean Purcell

Jesse, a local resident who said he was one of the first on scene told the Herald “I knew the baby was gone ... it was lifeless”.

He said he knew something was wrong when he saw a man dragging a woman across the street.

Jesse told the Herald that he saw the woman get stabbed.

"I was trying to look for (the alleged offender) to make sure the kids were OK because we know that they had kids there," he said.

“That’s all we wanted to know if they were OK, but I didn’t want to go inside at the time.”

Local resident Kasey said she looked after the surviving children at what is now the scene of a homicide investigation. Photo / Dean Purcell

He said the alleged offender was found at a nearby property.

The last time he saw the injured woman she couldn’t breath properly but was speaking.

Another neighbour, Kasey, said she and other neighbours helped keep the two uninjured children safe, wrapping them in blankets.

“[One child] was playing with a doll and she mimicked what she saw. The trauma that poor child has to live with.

She said a nana and auntie arrived at the scene and “dropped to ground, screaming and bawling” after learning what had happened.

A house on Douglas Cres, Hamilton where victims where treated for injuries. It is not the address where the fault assault occurred. Photo / Dean Purcell

Police would not be drawn on specifics but other sources have spoken about what happened at the address.

“Emergency services were called shortly after midnight to Douglas Cres, Fairfield, after a report of an assault,” a police spokesperson said. “When police arrived at the property, they found one person deceased and two others seriously injured, who were transported to hospital.

“A 34-year-old man was found a short distance from the address with serious injuries and was also transported to hospital, where he remains under police guard.

“A scene examination will take place at the property today.

Police, fire and ambulance have all attended and a homicide investigation is underway. Photo / Dean Purcell

“Police would like to reassure the community that this is an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the wider public.”

The spokesperson confirmed the 34-year-old man will face charges in due course in relation to the incident.

Police, fire and ambulance have all attended the address and the cordon encompasses at least 10 houses.

Two paramedic bags, gloves and other tools are strewn across the front lawn of one property, which has police tape across it inside the cordon.

Bags and gloves used by paramedics are left on the lawn at a Douglas Cres property. Photo / Dean Purcell

FAMILY VIOLENCE

How to get help:If you're in danger now: • Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Crisis line - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)
• Shine: Helpline - 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
• It's Not Ok: Family violence information line - 0800 456 450
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children.
• Crisis line - 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)
• Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence
• Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women.