An elderly couple are believed to have been killed by a ram at their rural West Auckland property.

The pair were found dead in their Waitākere paddock by their son this morning after he didn’t hear from them, said family spokesperson Dean Burrell.

A police spokesperson said they were notified just before 7.30am.

Burrell said it was his aunt and her husband who died. He described them as “good people” who were both in their early 80s, retired and had lived at the property for eight years.

Police at the Anzac Valley Road property in West Auckland after the mysterious deaths of two people. Photo / Jason Oxenham

“I was in a bit of shock. I didn’t believe it. They didn’t deserve this.

“The family are in shock and are very upset.”

He said the couple were hobby farmers.

”They had some sheep, some chickens and some cattle I believe.”

The Herald understands the ram was shot by police. It is understood police believe the man went out to check on a ram and did not return. His wife later went out to check and also did not return.

Family member Dean Burrell speaks to the media after a ram killed his aunt and her husband t a West Auckland property. Photo / Jason Oxenham

“Two people have been located deceased in a paddock at the Anzac Valley Rd property,” police said.

A scene examination is underway, and at this stage the circumstances of the deaths are unexplained.

A neighbour who has known the elderly couple for many years and who asked not to be named described them as a “very quiet couple”.

He said he was unaware they had a ram on the property but he knew they ran sheep on the lifestyle block.

The neighbour said the man who lived at the property had been farming all his life.

”He was a very good stockman,” the neighbour said.

Police at the Anzac Valley Road property in West Auckland after the mysterious deaths of two people. April 18, 2024. Photo / Jason Oxenham 

The neighbour said he was very surprised to hear the couple may have been killed by a ram given their experience with animals.

There are several police vehicles parked down a long driveway at the property.

Police at the Anzac Valley Road property. Photo / Jason Oxenham 

Police officers were seen carrying bags as they walked towards the road away from the property.

The address on Anzac Valley Rd has a two-storey house on the property, and six people gathered on the deck of the building.

A neighbour who lives across the road from where the bodies were found said her husband took their dog for a walk this morning only to be confronted with a large number of police and an ambulance in the property, a lifestyle block.

They did not hear anything overnight before police arrived, she said.

This article was originally posted on the NZ Herald here.