A man has been charged with murder after the death of a woman in the Bay of Plenty town of Pukehina.

About 3pm on January 1, police were notified that a woman had died at an address on Old Coach Rd.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Varnam said a 50-year-old man was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship.

“However, he now faces a charge of murder. He is due to appear in the Tauranga District Court today.

“Police inquiries are ongoing, and we ask anyone with information about what happened to contact police through 105, either online or over the phone, and reference file number 260101/9901.”

Reports can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.