UPDATE 4PM: The man found dead in Mansfield Street, Ohauiti on Sunday morning has been formally identified as 19-year-old Takena Tiepa-Ranapia of Tauranga.

A post mortem has confirmed that he was the victim of an assault before he died. However, Police are not be commenting on the nature of the injuries at this stage as the investigation continues.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner says the people involved "do wear different colours". Photo: Cameron Avery.

Earlier:

Police investigations into the discovery of a 19-year-old man's body in Mansfield Street, Ohauiti point towards a possible gang related incident.

The link comes after Tauranga Police were called to Mansfield St shortly after 9am on Sunday after the discovery was made by the occupants of the house.

Scene guards remain at the Mansfield St house where the dead man was found, and a second property where a party was held, while police tape remains up cordoning off sections of property.

At a press conference at Tauranga Police Station, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner didn't rule out gang involvement into the death coupled with an assault on Ohauiti Road near the intersection with Welcome Bay Road.

He says: 'At this stage we are still establishing who is involved and it's too early to say, but indications are that the people involved do wear different colours and that's what the neighbours are telling us.

'We have not located a weapon and obviously anyone in the Mansfield, Harrisfield, Ohauiti area - check your properties for any discarded items of any sort.”

Greg says at about 12.30am on Sunday there was a disturbance at an address in Mansfield Street and police are aware a group arrived in a vehicle. Upon arrival they have spoken to the occupants before leaving.

A scene guard is still in place in Ohauiti today. Photo: Cameron Avery.

The 19-year-old is believed to have been at the property when the car arrived and has later been assaulted with a weapon. Police yesterday discovered a blood trail leading from outside an address where a party was held on Saturday night.

Greg adds: 'We have followed a blood trail from the address where the disturbance was, about 500m in a circular route that has looped around Mansfield Street, Jane Way, and its looped back through some parkland to a neighbouring property where we found the body.

'We have got no indication that the deceased has knocked on any doors or spoken to any people.”

A post mortem is underway to establish the exact cause of death and police hope to complete the examination of the scene later today.

Greg confirms a link between the man's death and an assault on Ohauiti Road near the intersection with Welcome Bay Road, around the same time as the assault in Mansfield St. In this second incident a man suffered hand and facial injuries.

'We are aware that the person who received the injuries in Ohauiti Road has gone to several properties before one has rung the police,” he says.

'There is a connection between the person stabbed in Ohauiti Road, as he earlier in the night had been at the Mansfield address and was a friend of the occupant.”

Police also understand that those responsible travelled to both locations in a vehicle and then left those locations in that vehicle a short time later.

The time which is the main focus of the police investigation is between midnight and 1am.

Police expect to be able to release the name of the man this afternoon following the post mortem and formal identification process.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Tauranga Police on: 07 577 4300.

Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on: 0800 555111.