Residents of Lamorna Road in Parklands say they are in shock after a woman was fatally stabbed, leaving the neighbourhood reeling and a community shaken.

Emergency services were called to the street at 7.50pm on Wednesday after reports a woman had suffered critical injuries.

Despite efforts to save her, she died at the scene, a police spokesman said.

A man has been charged with murder and appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Thursday morning, where he was granted name suppression, as well as the victim.

A neighbour, who was inside the primary police cordon last night, said she stepped outside to see what was happening but was told by officers to return indoors due to the “serious crime scene.”

Another resident, who spoke to chrislynchmedia.com, said he was standing next to a relative of the victim and was told what had unfolded shortly after police arrived.

Some residents said the house involved had drawn police attention in the past.

Others described the incident as deeply distressing and said it had shattered their sense of security.

While the incident occurred on Lamorna Road, police also blocked off nearby Queenspark Drive, leaving some bus passengers stranded and forced to find alternative transport.

Police remained at the scene on Thursday carrying out a detailed examination and speaking with residents.