Stabbing victim still loves it in Whangarei after attack

The pathway where the 69-year-old man was stabbed. Photo / Tania Whyte

A man only millimetres from death after being stabbed in the back during an unprovoked attack in a Whangarei park has spoken out, saying he still loves the city.

As police continue to hunt the attacker, the 69-year-old who was rendered helpless when he was stabbed from behind in Riverside Park nine days ago, has bravely relived the incident in a bid to reassure residents Whangarei is still a great place to live.

"One incident doesn't define a city. I would hate for people of Whangarei to be fearful based on what happened to me," he said.

"Whangarei is a wonderful city. I've been here two-and-a-half years after spending time in different places around the world and it's fabulous here. I love it."

He said like living in any part of the world, people had to be sensible and he had never had any trouble before when walking or riding his bike through the park. "You wouldn't grab hold of a metal pole during a lightning storm would you? Don't be paranoid. Just be careful," he recommended.

The former engineer, Auckland University of Technology lecturer, probation officer and pastor, said he was on his way to get bread from a supermarket when he was attacked between 6pm and 6.45pm.

"I was walking to Pak 'n' Save to get a loaf of bread ... I've walked that path hundreds of times before. I didn't hear anything behind me."

He had nearly reached the painted boat sheds at the northern end of the park on the popular Loop walk when he was struck.

"I was on the ground and I felt a sticky wetness and put my hand down and saw the colour of blood. I called 111."

People went to his aid until a St John ambulance crew arrived and rushed him to Whangarei Hospital. He was stabbed between the shoulder blades and in the lower back, narrowly missing vital organs. A scan showed if the cut to the lower back had gone two millimetres deeper, it could have been fatal by piercing a kidney, he said.

He spent four days in hospital and is now recuperating at a property in Whangarei Heads. "The care I have had from the ambulance people, staff at the hospital and the police has been amazing. The police are very determined to find the person or people that did this to me. The officers have been just wonderful.

"The area where this happened and the Town Basin are real gems ... It should be made into the Venice of the North."

While physically he was mending well it would be some time before he would get used to someone approaching him from behind. The keen boatie, who is originally from England and did not see the ocean until he was 12, has had his yacht on the hard in Whangarei undergoing repairs for two-and-a-half years.

It also doubled as his home. He planned to get the vessel back in the water this summer but that would be delayed as he recuperated. Police had waited until last Thursday when the man had recovered enough to be interviewed. They were also looking at camera footage in the area.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact police at Whangarei station on 09 430 4500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.