orirua Police have launched a homicide inquiry after the overnight death of a local man celebrating his 49th birthday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, Porirua CIB, say police were called to a boarding house in Kahika Grove, Elsdon, shortly after midnight after one of the residents heard some "banging and crashing".
Paramedics and police found the 49-year-old victim lying outside the house. He was treated at the scene for head injuries and was flown by Westpac Life Flight Trust rescue helicopter to Wellington Hospital where he died shortly after 3am.
A post mortem will be held later this morning.
The man’s name will not be released until next of kin are notified.
Police have arrested a man and charged him with murder. He will be appearing in the Porirua District Court later this morning.
"It seems an argument started inside the hostel between the two friends and during the scuffle the victim was injured about the head," Mr Oxnam says. "Although there were other people present in the hostel they weren’t involved and only heard the noise."
Mr Oxnam says police have sealed off the scene and relocated two other residents overnight to friends and family. A full scene examination involving detectives, scene of crime officers and ESR forensic specialists is now under way. Other police staff will be conducting area inquiries throughout the day.
Police are appealing for people who may have seen or heard the fight to contact Porirua Police on telephone: 238 1400.