Police have yet to say how the man died. Photo: RNZ / ADAM BURNS
Christchurch residents reported hearing raised voices before a man's body was found in the street.
A homicide investigation is under way after the 38-year-old man's body was found on Carisbrooke Street, in the eastern suburb of Aranui on Thursday.
On Friday afternoon, police said they had received more than 20 pieces of information from the public in relation the investigation.
Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves told Morning Report the unusual noises reported to the police were raised voices.
"Which caused enough alarm for someone to go out and investigate or decide to make a call to police and then to ambulance," Reeves said.
The community was feeling a bit unsettled, but there was a strong police presence in the area and they would remain there until this was resolved, she said.
"They're feeling really shocked about what's happened in and around their street. It's certainly not normal behaviour. But ... everyone's been really cooperative with police, really helpful."
Police are asking for sightings of a White 2006 Toyota Crown sedan with a sunroof (licence plate LEQ895), which may have been driven by the victim.
Reeves said police had made a lot of progress.
Police had receive a substantial amount of information from the public about the whereabouts of the car and were also examining CCTV footage from the area.
A forensic post mortem would be held on Friday.
Meanwhile, the community is reeling after the death.
Narelle works in the area as a pastoral leader for children and families at Revive Christchurch, and said it was a shocking start to the year.
"We had this celebration really of the Aranui community at the beginning of December [2023], and so it's a big contrast to begin the year with a homicide in our community," she said.
"I know there will be a lot of people feeling unsettled and concerned, and just feeling very sad. My aroha goes out to all the whānau involved."
Narelle said the community would be following the investigation closely.
"Just holding their breath I guess thinking- am I going to know this person? am I going to know this family that's going to be impacted?"
"I do know that there's a lot of support services in the Aranui community, and I'm sure that those are going to kick in to support families and the community that's been affected," she said.
Tina Harding, who runs the Aranui and Wainoni Community Facebook page, said posts flooded in Thursday morning about the incident.
"People I've talked to say they're shocked and they're sad, and that you don't think it would happen in your own backyard," she said.
Local community board (Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board) member Tim Baker lived in Aranui for more than 50 years. He told RNZ he was saddened by what had happened.
"There's always been the odd ratbag living in the area, but overall it's been a great place to live for me and my family. Crime like that doesn't happen very often in the Aranui area. It does happen occasionally, but not very often."
