A family has been left with ‘broken hearts’ after a four-year-old boy was killed in an attack by three dogs.

New Zealand Police said they were alerted to two people in the Bay of Plenty who were injured after being bitten by a dog on Friday at around 2.50pm local time. 

‘One person was transported the Katikati Medical Centre in a critical condition, where sadly they died a short time later,’ a spokesperson said on Saturday.

‘Another person received moderate injuries and was transported to hospital, where they remain.’

The three dogs involved in the attack have reportedly been surrendered to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council and police are making enquiries on behalf of the coroner.

It is understood that it was four-year-old Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan who passed away after the incident.

A relative, who didn’t want to be named, told Stuff.co.nz that the family was ‘devastated’ by Timothy’s death.

‘I don’t know how the incident happened but we were called to a medical centre and then he died,’ they said.

A relative has said the family of Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan (pictured) was ‘devastated’ by his death 

The family of Timothy Tu’uaki Rolleston-Bryan (pictured) described him as having a ‘heart full of cuteness’

The relative said the family had made statements to the police and officers had taken the dog into custody.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted a member of the family for comment. 

The social media page for family-owned cemetery Simply Funerals shared a statement from the whānau.

‘It is with broken hearts and shock we announce the tragic passing of our little Timoti,’ the post by the family said.

‘He had a little mischief in his smile, a little wild in his eyes, but a heart full of cuteness.

‘You will be dearly misssed our little timoti. Your (late) mum will be awaiting your arrival.’

Tuapiro Marae Komiti also shared a statement on social media.

‘It is with great sadness that Tuapiro Marae acknowledges a recent death that took place on the Whenua of Tuapiro,’ it said. 

‘Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are affected by the loss at this time our priority will be to support our Whānau through this hard time.’