Murder suspect close to leaving NZ

Olo Fiti was stabbed to death outside a friend's house in Otara. Photo / Supplied

Police gave airport security the name of the suspect in a South Auckland homicide inquiry just hours before he tried to flee the country on a late-night flight to Samoa.

A 25-year-old Samoan man tried to board a flight to Apia on Saturday night almost exactly 24 hours after police allege he stabbed Olo Fiti, 37, to death in an Otara street.

Mr Fiti had just been dropped off outside a friend's house in Preston Rd about 11.15pm when he was stabbed several times in what police say was a planned attack. He died at the scene.

The arrested man will appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with murder.

Junior Tuia, who is the brother of Mr Fiti's wife Leinati Tuia, said he had heard plenty of rumours about what could have caused the stabbing.

"We're shocked. We are waiting for the police to tell us [what happened], but I've heard some stories."

He only became aware police were saying there was a connection between Mr Fiti and his alleged attacker when spoken to by the Herald.

Mr Tuia didn't know why anyone would want to hurt his brother-in-law, who was expecting his fifth child soon.

"I don't know. I have no idea why it would happen," Mr Tuia said.

He told the Herald he didn't know the name of the accused. "I've told my family to wait for court tomorrow to see who it is."

Friends and family were gathering at the family home in Otara yesterday to support Ms Tuia and her children, who are aged 2, 4, 6 and 7.

"It's really sad for the kids. They're only young and have started asking for their dad."

Mr Tuia said family members were preparing to come to Auckland from Samoa for the funeral.

Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher, of Counties Manukau police, said the stabbing wasn't a random act of violence but he couldn't go into the "finer details" of the background of either men.

"This was not a random act of violence to somebody who happened to be in the wrong place at the same time as a violent offender ... that is not the scenario. There is a connection between the two," he said.

Police were paying "close scrutiny" as to the motive of the killing, he said.

In the hours before he was killed Mr Fiti finished work and checked in with his family. He then went out locally with a couple of friends before being dropped off in Preston Rd.

Two cars police were seeking in relation to the stabbing have been found and were being examined. The knife used in the stabbing was also understood to have been found.

Mr Gallagher said the arrested man emerged as a person of interest after inquiries throughout Saturday led police to alert immigration and customs staff because they feared he might try to leave the country.

The practice was common when you were dealing with people who have a "strong motivation not to remain where they mainly reside", Mr Gallagher said.

He praised the co-operation police received from customs and immigration.

"It was excellent work by them for which we are grateful."

Airport police isolated the man from other passengers who were waiting at the departure gate to board after he passed through customs.

Mr Gallagher said detectives were speaking to people connected with both Mr Fiti and the arrested man but no further arrests were expected.

However, he warned anyone who helped the man - by sheltering him or suppressing evidence - could themselves face charges.