Body under Whangarei bridge:homicide inquiry(+vid)

The body of a young woman has been found under a bridge at Whangarei this morning and a homicide inquiry has been launched.

The woman, aged about 19, was discovered on rocks under the Lower Tarewa Rd bridge about 4.20am.

Police are treating the incident as suspicious and streets have been closed off to all traffic and pedestrians around the bridge.

Police communications acting Inspector Danny Meade said traffic was being directed away from the area.

"We treat everything as suspicious until proven otherwise,'' he said.

St John Ambulance communications team manager Norman Ngatai said the woman's age was yet to be confirmed.

He said an ambulance was tasked to the incident but the woman was declared dead at the scene.

Lower Tarewa Rd is closed between Porowini Ave and Walton St.

Locals are being told to avoid the area and to access the Tarewa shopping centre through back entrances.