'Rogue ram' believed to be behind the deaths of an elderly New Zealand couple at their Waitakere property

A sheep is believed to be responsible for the deaths of an elderly New Zealand couple whose bodies were found in a paddock.

The NZ Herald reports a couple, both in their early 80s, were found dead at their rural Waitakere property, west of Auckland, early on Thursday morning by their son, who was prompted to look for the pair after failing to hear from them.

Police suspect a ram was behind the deaths, with the Herald reporting officers had located and killed the animal on the couple’s hobby farm.

“Two people have been located deceased in a paddock at the Anzac Valley Rd property,” a police spokesman said.

“At this stage the circumstances of the death are unexplained.

“We are liaising with family at the scene.”

Dean Burrell, the nephew of one of the dead and family spokesman, told news outlet Stuff the couple had “both lost their lives in a tragic accident”.

“They’re good people. They’re over 80. They don’t deserve this,” he said.

“Everyone is in shock as to what’s happened. They are very upset.”

Mr Burrell said the couple had not communicated with their family for a couple of days.

St John medics attended the property with two ambulances early on Thursday, with a police presence through the day.