Grieving family pray at death site

Hiren Mohini was found slumped over the wheel of his cab with multiple stab wounds. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The widow of murdered taxi driver Hiren Mohini last night paid an emotional visit to where he was killed.

Arriving at View Rd in Mt Eden in a three-car convoy, one a Co-op taxi, Falguni Mohini moved solemnly from the smashed fence to the bark-stripped tree where her husband was found slumped over the wheel of his cab, with multiple stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Adding a bouquet of flowers to bunches propped against the tree, Mrs Mohini bowed her head and clasped her hands.

Five others, including mother-in-law Vasantiben, joined her in a prayer circle around the trunk.

Two royal blue canvas chairs were unfolded and placed on the footpath. Grieving wife and mother sat in silence.

Earlier in the afternoon, the widow sat alone with Mr Mohini in the funeral parlour for an hour and wept.

She did not bring daughters Yashvi and Hetvi, 5 and 3, with her.

Three days after the murder their father's killer is still free.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones urged the man behind the "vicious" and "frenzied" attack to front up and for others with information to contact police.

Additional officers will join the team of 40 to trawl through hours of CCTV footage from the central city where 39-year-old Mr Mohini made his final pick-up, and staff are going door-to-door.

"Every call we receive is important to us, every inquiry we make is a breakthrough," Mr Jones said.

"The community and the nation want to see the person or persons responsible for this frenzied attack held to account for this murder."

Police are looking for a slim man, about 1.75m tall with long, greasy hair in a wavy style swept back from the forehead.

He was last seen wearing a long-sleeved, buttoned-up shirt, dark denim jeans, black leather shoes and was carrying a black bag with a strap.

A knife has been recovered and forensic experts are examining other items.

Yesterday afternoon 12 patrol cars lined the quiet, tree-lined road as officers went door to door.

Mr Jones urged residents around View Rd to check their street bins and sheds for strange or missing items.

"Clothes may have gone missing off lines. If there's anything that may be of interest to police then my investigation team will be keen to hear."

Mr Mohini's body will be brought home tomorrow for his funeral at the Waikumete Cemetery. Three relatives are due from India today.

His daughters do not understand what has happened.

"Last night their mum was saying 'Dad will not come' and the young one started crying a lot," said Bipin Tavadia, a family friend and taxi driver.

He said strangers were finding their phone number in the directory and calling wanting to make donations.

The Yashvi Mohini and Hetvi Mohini Trust Account has been set up by the family and Auckland Co-Op Taxis is collecting donations on its website.

The death of the devoted family man has reignited calls for compulsory shields and cameras in taxis.

DONATIONS

The Yashvi and Hetvi Mohini Trust Account:

Direct credit donations to 06-0284-0165500-00 or via cooptaxi.co.nz

Cash donations can be made at any National Bank.

The Hiren Mohini Appeal Fund, set up by the NZ taxi federation:

Direct credit donations to 03-0175-0228509-00.