The investigation into the sudden death of a man in the Wairarapa has been upgraded to a homicide.
A scene guard is in place at a property in Carterton, after the man's body was found outside a house on Te Kopi Road.
Three people are being spoken to in relation to the incident, police said.
The police expected to remain at the site for a number of days.
The body was discovered on Te Kopi Road, Te Whiti, east of Carteron and south of Masterton, about 9am.
Earlier on Sunday morning another man was found injured on nearby State Highway 2 in Ahikōuka, just south of Carterton. He was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition. Police said there was no indication the incidents were linked.