A man died after being taken into custody by police in South Auckland.
Police say the 20-year-old was arrested for breaching the peace at 1am on Sunday and taken to the Manukau station to sober up.
They say his family had been trying to restrain him and he continued to be violent and aggressive while in custody.
He was found having breathing problems in his monitored cell at 5am, about four hours after his arrest.
Police say he was put in the recovery position but was pronounced dead by paramedics at 6.10am. They say a police doctor had assessed him before he was found with laboured breathing.
The death has been referred to the Coroner and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
News: Man deceased in Police custody - Counties Manukau - Location: National News At about... http://t.co/sfCPa7QzlV
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) February 23, 2014
