Tragic details are emerging about a retired New Zealand couple apparently killed by an aggressive ram.

The ram was put down by police after it was found alongside the two bodies in a paddock early on Thursday.

The NZ Herald reports that Alfred Helge Hansen and Gaye Carole Hansen, both in their early 80s, were found dead in a field of their rural property, west of Auckland.

The Hansens’ son, who was prompted to look for the pair after failing to hear from them in days, reportedly found their bodies. He then contacted police.

“Police can confirm a ram was in the paddock at the time we were notified this morning,” a police statement read.

“Another party at the scene suffered a minor injury after being attacked by this ram.

“Once our staff arrived at the scene they too were confronted and approached by the ram.

“On undertaking a risk assessment, the ram was shot and died at the scene.”

The deaths occurred at a rural Waitakere property, west of Auckland.

News outlet Stuff is reporting that Mr Hansen went to feed the ram, but didn’t return. His wife was killed when she went looking for him.

Dean Burrell, a front-line police officer and the nephew of one of the dead, told Stuff that the Hansens 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.”

Burrell said he felt like he was dreaming when he found out what happened.

“I just didn’t believe it,” he said.

Burrell said he was supporting the family as he understood the formal investigation process. His grief was yet to sink in, he said.

Police are investigating the deaths on behalf of the coroner “to establish the full set of circumstances around what occurred in the paddock”. Autopsies were to be done on Friday.

St John medics attended the property with two ambulances early on Thursday, while police remained on the farm throughout the day.

-with AAP