Police warn people not to hide knifeman after attack

An x-ray of the blade that broke off inside the victim's head. It has since been removed.

Police hunting a fugitive who allegedly left a broken knife embedded in another man's face have warned others they will be "in the gun" if they hide him.

Vance Paraki Tuheke, 31, fled from a house in Albany, about 12km north of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, early yesterday morning after allegedly stabbing another man in the face with a 150mm knife.

The knife entered the victim's face just below his left eye and travelled through his nasal cavity behind his nose. The point of the blade had begun to exit on the other side of the man's face.

Surgeons removed the knife during a delicate operation at Auckland Hospital yesterday and the victim, 36, was expected to make a full recovery with no lasting damage.

Police hoped to interview the victim today.

Police said Tuheke fled with his former partner and their two-year-old child. There had been no sighting of him since the attack.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby from the North Shore police said they needed to talk to the woman to ensure she and the toddler were safe.

They were thought to be in a gold 1997 Honda Accord, registered number WM7720, and hiding in the Auckland area.

"Any person deliberately providing Tuheke assistance in avoiding police will risk prosecution," Mr Libby said.

"He is hiding low and we are upping the ante.

"Anyone who helps him will be in the gun for maybe being an accessory after the fact." Mr Libby said.

He said anyone with information should call the North Shore police on (09) 488 6200. He said if the matter was urgent and related to a sighting people should call 111.

- NZPA