KEY POINTS:
Three young children stabbed yesterday are "extremely lucky to be alive", police investigating the case said this morning.
The three - a boy aged 8 weeks, and his sisters aged 18 months and three years - have had surgery for extensive injuries and remain in Wellington Hospital's intensive
care unit.
The children were found in a house at Naenae in Lower Hutt yesterday afternoon when police forced their way in and tasered a man - believed to be their father - who had a 15cm carving knife.
The baby has multiple abdominal, back and internal injuries; the 18-month-old has multiple abdominal, chest and neck injuries and the 3-year-old has multiple chest, abdominal and facial injuries.
They are this morning in a stable but serious condition.
"The house was cordoned off overnight and we've started our scene examination today," Detective Senior Sergeant Levy said.
"We're yet to speak with the mother as she's with the children at hospital. It appears however that there were arguments over the weekend, and neighbours heard shouting coming from the address.
"These kiddies are very young and their injuries are severe. They're extremely lucky to be alive."
Earlier today, Inspector Bruce Dunstan said the baby boy had the worst injuries.
"He was obviously the most critical. We understand the two sisters aren't out of the woods yet," Mr Dunstan told Radio New Zealand.
Inspector Dunstan said staff received a phone call from the children's mother at 4.23pm. She had escaped from the house during a domestic dispute.
"Police went to the address and had to force their way into the address. We were confronted by a male who had a knife and who was standing over two young infants," said Mr Dunstan. "The children were covered in blood so the Taser was deployed."
The baby boy was found in one room with a vertical cut down his stomach, and the two girls were in a second bedroom with their father.
Mr Dunstan said the baby's injuries were life-threatening and those of his 1-year-old sister, who had at least two stab wounds, including one to her chest, were serious.
The older sister, aged 3, was treated for superficial wounds at Lower Hutt Hospital and discharged.
The father, in his early 30s, was last night charged with assaulting the 3-year-old. He will appear in the Lower Hutt District Court today. Further charges are expected.
- NZHERALD STAFF AND NZPA