Teenagers hurt in weekend stabbings

Three teenagers were taken to hospital during the weekend, one with serious injuries, following two separate stabbings in Auckland.

The first incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning when a 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old friend were stabbed near Centreway Road at Orewa.

Police spokesman Kevin Loughlin said the girls were with two other girls at a bus stop when they were approached by a 17 or 18-year-old male with acne on his face and a 16-year-old girl.

A verbal fight broke out between the two groups and the two girls were stabbed.

A St John spokesman said they were taken to North Shore Hospital with minor to moderate wounds in the neck, leg and hip.

Mr Loughlin said one of the girls, who had suffered a stomach injury, remained in hospital yesterday in a stable condition.

"We are describing this as a cowardly attack by the person responsible and would love to hear from anyone with information," he said.

Twenty-four hours after the Orewa attack a 16-year-old boy was stabbed at the Shell petrol station in Quay Street following a dispute between two groups.

Police say both groups were getting petrol at about 1.15am. An argument broke out in the forecourt.

That led to a fight in which the teenager was stabbed in his side. His friends took him to Auckland City Hospital where he remained yesterday in a serious condition.

The attackers, who left in a white or light coloured old four-door sedan, are described as two Polynesian men in their late teens to early 20s.

They were both of large build. One wore a white long-sleeved hoodie top with a black beanie.

The other wore a black baseball cap with yellow lettering on it.

There is nothing to indicate that the Orewa and Quay St stabbings were linked.

Further details about the Orewa attack were expected to be released by police today.

Anyone with information about either incident can phone Orewa Police on (09) 426- 4555 or the Auckland Central Crime Squad on (09) 302-6789.