Tourists stabbed in Taupo

Two men were stabbed in what was believed to be a random attack in Taupo this evening.

Police said they were called to Kaimanawa St shortly before 6pm.

Clare Ngatai, manager of the nearby Silver Fern Lodge, said one victim was an Australian tourist who was staying at the lodge. He was reportedly stabbed in the stomach.

The other man, stabbed in the chest, was visiting from out of town to look at properties for possible purchase, Ms Ngatai said.

The attacks came out of the blue as the offender was walking down the street with a woman, she said.

"Apparently it was random. There were two incidents, two different people, they weren't connected to each other."

Both men had been flown to Rotorua Hospital for treatment.

Ms Ngatai gave the men first aid but said neither seemed to be seriously injured.

"They seemed all right .. it looked like more muscle damage."

Police said they interviewing people but no arrest had been made.

Ms Ngatai said a man had been taken to the police station.

She said witnesses said he had appeared "pumped up. From the sounds of it he was on drugs or something. It's not normal, especially not at 6 o'clock at night."

Police said both victims suffered non-life threatening injuries.

They weapon used in the attacks had not been recovered.