KEY POINTS:
The young man killed in Herne Bay's Hamilton Road shortly after midnight this morning was 17 year-old Auckland Grammar student Augustine Akateuroa Borrell of Papatoetoe.
Police investigating his death say he died after being stabbed in the chest.
A weapon has been recovered from Hamilton Road near where Augustine died.
Detectives are currently speaking with people who hosted and who attended a party in the street.
It is estimated that between 30 and 40 young people were at the party, which was disturbed by a group of young men shortly before midnight.
Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Breach said early reports from witnesses of the stabbing indicated there was a group of young Polynesian men in the area making trouble which prompted the party hosts to close it down.
"It would appear that Augustine has somehow come into fatal contact with this group once he and his friends left the party," Mr Breach said.
"I've heard nothing yet to indicate why he was stabbed. It certainly seems at this stage that he was an innocent 17 year-old going about his lawful business.
"We've got a lot of work to do and we're very keen to hear from anyone who has information about people in the area between 11.30pm and 1am who may be able to progress the investigation.
"If anyone has taken photos on their mobile phones of people who might be able to assist us, we'd be happy to hear from them."
Residents of the quiet street are shocked.
Neighbour Kristen Moyle says she woke up to the aftermath of the party this morning.
She says there was rubbish and broken glass all over the road, and a police cordon sealing off the street.
Police who attended the call for assistance last night tried to assist the young man when they arrived at 12.17am, but he died at the scene.
Hamilton Road and part of Jervois Road have been cordoned off as a homicide scene.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF
