KEY POINTS:
A young couple were still being hunted today after a man was stabbed in the face which will result in him losing an eye.
Police said today they had still to find the pair after issuing photographs and a description of them yesterday.
The 26-year-old victim was believed to have been embroiled in an argument with the couple at a recreation area in Orewa, north of Auckland, on Saturday being stabbed 12 times in the face, abdomen and back.
He was was discharged from Greenlane Hospital in Auckland yesterday, after emergency surgery on an eye.
Detective Kevin Blackman said the victim was devastated after being told by specialist surgeons he would lose the eye.
Police said they were looking for a Maori or olive-skinned Caucasian man, aged 25 to 35 years, of solid build and 1.72m to 1.78m tall.
He had long dreadlocks, blue jeans and was bare-chested.
The woman was Caucasian, 23, with long black hair. She was wearing a short-sleeved black top and possibly a summer dress.
The pair were seen leaving the area in a small black station wagon, similar to a Mitsubishi Libero.
Mr Blackman said two drink bottles had been found at the scene, and had been sent to Environmental Science and Research for forensic analysis.
"We believe these bottles belong to the two individuals who were in the area at the time of the stabbings and we hope they will come forward so that we can further advance our enquiries," he said.
Anyone with information was asked to call Orewa police.
- NZPA
