One man is dead after being hit in the head with an axe in Kawerau.

Another is due to appear in Whakatane District Court today charged with his murder.

Police are investigating the murder of a man in Kawerau.

Police have launched a murder investigation after a 31-year-old Barry Junior Hunt died in Whakatane Hospital this morning.

He was taken to hospital in critical condition last night suffering a severe head injury from having an axe buried in his head.

Police were called to a Kawerau property about 7.30pm after St John Paramedics were called when a man was hit in the head with an axe.

'He was taken to Whakatane Hospital in a critical condition and he died in the early hours of this morning,” says a statement from police.

'A homicide enquiry is underway and a 25-year-old man is due to appear in Whakatane District Court today charged with murder.”

Police say all men were known to each other.