Man appears in court over fatal stabbing

Police at the scene of the property on Takahe Road, Titirangi, West Auckland. Photo / NZ Herald

A man has appeared in court over a violent stabbing in a west Auckland home last night which left a woman dead and her husband fighting for his life.

A 34-year-old man appeared in Waitakere District Court this afternoon charged with murder and attempted murder of the couple in Titirangi.

The couple, believed to be in their early 60s, were allegedly stabbed multiple times during the attack.

The man, who appeared dressed in prison overalls after spending the night in custody, was reportedly discovered about 1km where the attack took place last night.

He was located by police about an hour after officers were called to the scene shortly before 8pm.

The woman died shortly after police arrived at her home, while her husband was rushed to hospital where he was earlier said to be in a serious but stable condition.

In court this afternoon, Judge Hemi Taumaunu granted interim name suppression for the accused. His alleged victims were also granted interim name suppression to allow time to inform close family members in England.

He described the attack as a "tragic and disturbing incident".

The man will undergo a psychiatric assessment to ascertain whether he is fit to plead.

His lawyer, Sheila McCabe, described him as "a very unwell person", and said he had "serious mental health issues", citing a Waitamata District Health Board assessment done last night.

When he was brought into court, the accused stood in the dock frowning and looking confused.

He was remanded in custody to Mason Clinic, a forensic mental health service, and is due to appear later this month in the High Court at Auckland, pending his mental health assessment.

A scene investigation of the property was expected to take several days and neighbours would also be spoken to as part of the inquiry.