In a Facebook post shared online, a family member said: “on behalf of the Gray and Taare whanau we would like to inform our whanau of the tragic passing of our son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson and loving father Kane Taare Gray.”
Meanwhile, police made an arrest and laid an initial charge as they continue to work out “who did what to who” during the fight.
Police were called to the property at around 11.30pm to break up a fight involving a small group of men.
Around 100 people were at the party.
Police established that the fight broke out when two uninvited guests arrived.
The first officers on the scene found two men on the ground with stab wounds, and immediately started cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
“The first officers on the scene waded through the fight that was taking place in an effort to save lives,” acting area police commander Inspector Darren Paki said.
“They also arrested a man allegedly involved in the stabbing incident.”
St John ambulance officers pronounced the men dead at the scene.
Police said their names and further information about them would not be made public until they had notified all next of kin.
Three injured men were transported to hospital by ambulance — two with stab wounds and the other with assault injuries. Their conditions ranged from serious to critical.
Two of them, aged 21 and 45, were in serious but stable conditions in the hospital’s intensive care unit yesterday.
The third man, also in the ICU, remained in critical condition.
Gisborne Hospital was put into lockdown during the night and a strong, armed police presence that included Armed Offenders Squad members guarded the only entrance allowed into the hospital via the door to the outpatients and emergency departments.
A homicide inquiry was launched and Lytton Road remained cordoned off at the scene of the incident throughout Sunday and into Monday while police did their scene examination.
That was to have been completed yesterday afternoon and the cordons in Lytton Road lifted.
Extra police were brought into the district to help local staff, including officers from Hawke’s Bay, detectives and forensics experts from around the country.
Detective Inspector Dave de Lange, from Hawke’s Bay, is leading the homicide inquiry.
“This is going to be a complex investigation,” he said. “There was a large number of people at the party, so we have a lot of people to interview, and it will take time to fully investigate it.
“We’re still piecing together what happened and it’s too early yet to establish exactly who did what to who.
“We have made one arrest at this stage . . . that 29-year-old man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm.”
He has been remanded in custody by consent.
“He continues to help us with our inquiry. We are not ruling out further charges against him and others.”
The arrested man was not one of the seriously injured.
Det Insp de Lange said police did not think it was a rival gang conflict.
“But there were gang members present at the birthday party.”
The bodies of the two slain men remained under tents police erected on Sunday — one on the road outside the property and the other on the property itself.
Det Insp de Lange said the bodies of the men were removed on Sunday evening for post-mortem examination,
“They will be handed over to their grieving families as soon as possible.
“We would like to hear from anyone who has information that may assist our inquiry and to receive any cellphone footage people may have of the incident.”
The homicide investigation has been labelled Operation Middlepark.
Inspector Paki said Victim Support has been providing support for the families and welfare support for police staff involved in the initial response to the incident.
“Due to the nature of this incident, police maintained a presence at the Emergency Department of Gisborne Hospital, where access to the Emergency Department was managed.
“The ED remained open to those needing care,” he said. “This is very clearly a distressing situation for the community and particularly for the families now grieving for loved ones.
“What should have been a happy occasion for this family, fuelled by alcohol, has turned into an ugly and an awful tragedy for the people involved.”
Police have remained on “high alert” since the incident.
“We have been monitoring ongoing activity and have reassurance patrols operating in the city.”
* Police Minister Mark Mitchell came to Gisborne on Sunday and said his thoughts were with the families of the deceased men for their tragic loss.
“I want to acknowledge the police, who have had an outstanding response,” Mr Mitchell said.
“I came over immediately as the minister of police to, number one, support the community, support our police and of course support the mayor and her council in what is a difficult time for the area,” he said.
Mayor Rehette Stoltz said she had been receiving updates from the police about the situation and investigation.
Mrs Stoltz described it as an “absolute tragedy”.
“It is really sad and our hearts break for the whanau involved.”
The Mayor reassured the public that Gisborne was a “safe place” and police were in control of the situation.
“I do want to reassure everyone please look after each other. This is a distressing time for our Gisborne community so be kind and reach out,” she said.
Mr Mitchell said New Zealand had seen far too much violent crime involving firearms and knives in this case.
“Our Government is fully focused on making sure that we get on top of that.”
