The 52-year-old found dead in the driveway of a Farmer Cr house last night has been named by police.

He was named as Michael James Mulholland at a media conference this afternoon.

Mr Mulholland also lived on Farmer Cr in Taita. He had six brothers, three sisters and two children.

Detective Inspector Darrin Thompson said police were yet to determine the cause of death but the victim had facial injuries.

Police would support and work with the victim's family in the next few days.

"We expect to be in the Farmers Crescent are over the next few days and encourage anybody who has information to come forward and assist us with our investigation," he said.

Twenty-five police staff had been assigned to the investigation - named Operation Field - and an autopsy would be carried out  this evening.

Emergency services were called to a house on Farmer Crescent in Pomare about 10:15pm yesterday where Mr Mulholland had been found unconscious in a driveway.

Senior Sergeant Marc Clausen of Lower Hutt police said friends had tried CPR on Mr Mulholland but failed to revive him.

A homicide investigation had been launched and the Criminal Investigation Bureau were investigating.

Hutt Valley area commander Inspector Mike Hill confirmed the deceased had Mongrel Mob connections, though it was not clear if he was a patched member.

A forensic team was working on the scene today.

Wally Cotter, who lives nearby, said a patched Mongrel Mob member lived at the house where the deceased was found.

"Most of the Mob guys - the older ones that live around here - I get on well with them individually," Mr Cotter said.

"They are quite nice guys."

The man's name would be released once next of kin were notified.

This morning police were guarding two scenes, about 50 metres apart, in the street. One had a white tent covering it, while the other area was cordoned off.

Skid marks could be seen coming from beneath the tent protecting one of the scenes.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he heard people yelling and performing CPR last night. They also said the house was known as a heavy-drinking household.

The scenes are close to the site of a block of state housing that was demolished last year in a bid to rejuvenate the area, which has been troubled by gang tensions.

Mr Cotter said since the demolition the street had been much quieter and children had taken to playing at the now-vacant lot.

Farmer Crescent came to national attention in early 2009 when Mongrel Mob members were accused of terrorising a single mother into leaving her home.

It was the site of protests against the Housing NZ demolitions last year and an ongoing legal battle between Housing NZ and three gang-linked women and their families from the street.

Contact Tom Hunt
Email: tom.hunt@dompost.co.nz
Twitter: @tomdom76

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