Police suspect a rogue ram killed an elderly couple in New Zealand after the animal confronted officers in the family's paddock and was shot dead, according to a report.

The bodies of the man and woman were found in the enclosure at their home in West Auckland around 7:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, New Zealand Police said in a statement.

"Police can confirm a ram was in the paddock at the time we were notified this morning," the statement said. "Another party at the scene suffered a minor injury after being attacked by this ram."

When officers arrived at the scene, they were "confronted and approached" by the ram.

"On undertaking a risk assessment, the ram was shot and died at the scene," the police said.

The police are carrying out an investigation on behalf of the coroner, and post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Friday.

Dean Burrell said his mother's sister and husband were killed. Both were in their 80s and had lived at the property for about eight years.

"Unfortunately, they both lost their lives in a tragic accident. They are nice people and didn't deserve this," Burrell told the New Zealand Herald.

"Everyone's in shock as to what's happened. They're very upset. I feel like I was dreaming it actually, it was a bit of shock, being told what had happened and I just didn't believe it," he said.

The couple, Burrell said, kept sheep, chickens and some cattle on their farm. 

The outlet reported that the man went to check on the ram. When he did not return, his wife went to see what happened to him.