Police speak to 150 drivers over taxi death

Police were last night individually interviewing 150 taxi drivers at their headquarters about the killing of Hiren Mohini, stabbed in his cab more than a week ago.

The group were called to their Auckland Co-Op Taxis base in Newton in the hope they might be able to help find the slain 39-year-old's attacker.

"We've identified 150 potential drivers who may have been in the area when this happened," said general manager Barrie White.

"We've asked them to come in so the police can sit down with them. We've set up little interview rooms."

Mr White said the interviews were expected to take several hours.

Mr Mohini was killed in a frenzied attack which ended when he crashed his vehicle in View Rd, Mt Eden, early on January 31.

He had picked up a fare near SkyCity in Central Auckland.

Police have released security camera footage of a man walking along Queen St about 1am, shortly before Mr Mohini picked up his last passenger.

The man was carrying a bag that appeared to be similar to a blue tubular-shaped bag recovered from a Mt Eden property on Monday night.

Meanwhile, workplace safety researchers havesuggested the creation of a taxi-driver database holding records of all incidents of harassment, threats and attacks.

The database would enable profiling of passengers, and note pick-up locations and private addresses with a likelihood of danger, says the Healthy Work Group.

Taxi companies could use this information to warn and prepare drivers, provide back-up if needed and offer appropriate training, such as personal safety and how to diffuse angry situations.

"The key is to have a comprehensive knowledge base from which informed decisions can be made," said group member Bevan Catley.

"Older drivers might know the specific places or types of situations in which to expect trouble and be on guard."

Anyone with information about the killing of Mr Mohini can call the operation hotline, 0800-444-014.