Police issue photo in taxi driver death hunt

Police suspect this man was carrying the bag that was found near the murder scene. Photo / Supplied

Images of the man police believe could be the killer of an Auckland taxi driver have been released in a bid to find him.

The closed-circuit TV footage shows the man walking along Queen St shortly before Hiren Mohini collected his last passenger near SkyCity at 1.12am last Sunday.

Eight minutes and an unpaid $15.20 fare later, Mr Mohini was stabbed to death and found slumped over the wheel of his cab after a frenzied attack in View Rd, Mt Eden.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones said the man in the footage appears to be carrying a bag similar to one found at a property near the murder scene on Monday night.

"This bag has blood on it, was found in the neighbourhood and it's possible that the man pictured was carrying it," Mr Jones said.

Detectives are also awaiting the results of DNA tests to discover whether the blood on the bag belongs to Mr Mohini or his killer.

The blood-stained bag is royal blue with a black synthetic fabric shoulder strap. An unusual logo is written in white, which has the capital letters "DA" above the words "Dicon Aibi". Tubular in shape, the bag is 34cm wide and 19cm in circumference.

Mr Jones said police wanted to hear from witnesses who might have seen anyone with the bag before getting into the taxi.

Other items of interest to the investigation were found near where Mr Mohini died, including a knife which is being forensically examined.

Mr Jones has urged the man behind the vicious attack to front up and for others with information to contact the police.

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

Mr Mohini's family have set up the Yashvi Mohini and Hetvi Mohini Trust Account for his children and Auckland Co-op Taxis is collecting donations on its website.

Anyone with information on the murder can call 0800 Edgewater - 0800-444-014 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800-555-111.