Suspect in taxi murder filmed at airport

The main suspect in the hunt for the killer of an Auckland taxi driver is believed to have been captured on airport security cameras leaving the country.

Police and airport staff refused to comment, but the Herald understands Auckland International Airport staff were asked to check footage and located images of the suspect.

It is now more than a month since Hiren Mohini, 39, was stabbed by a passenger in View Rd, Mt Eden.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones would not say how a member of the public identified the suspect or where he had gone.

Mr Jones said he was disappointed a broadcaster had reported the man fled to China. "At the end of the day we're hopeful that he doesn't know we're looking for him."

Mr Mohini's stabbing has renewed calls for more security in taxis and Transport Minister Steven Joyce is expecting a report next week.

International conventions mean the New Zealand police will need permission from their Chinese counterparts to travel there, but they have a liaison officer in Beijing.

A treaty with China grants mutual assistance in "locating or identifying persons or items".

However months after Rotorua business owner Leo Gao fled the country with partner Kara Hurring and her daughter Leena - after Westpac mistakenly awarded a $10 million overdraft - documentation was reportedly still at Interpol in Wellington.