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WELLINGTON - Police are seeking two people after a man was stabbed in the face at Orewa, about 40km north of Auckland, early today.
The stabbing happened on the beach foreshore and a young Pacific Island man received serious injuries.
Police said that at 1.40am the 26- year-old victim arrived at the Orewa police station, bleeding profusely from numerous stab wounds to his face and other parts of his body.
A witness told police that the victim was seen talking to a man and a woman in the recreation area on Hibiscus Coast Highway opposite Riverside Road, before an altercation took place.
The incident happened less than 50 metres from the Orewa police station.
The witness helped the victim to the police station where he received immediate medical treatment from the staff. He was then taken immediately by ambulance to Auckland Hospital and later transferred to Green Lane Hospital.
Police said the victim's wounds were consistent with being caused by a knife or sharp instrument.
Police are looking for a Maori or olive-skinned Caucasian man, aged 25 to 35 years, or solid build and 1.72m to 1.78m tall. He was wearing long dreadlocks, blue jeans and was bare-chested.
The woman is Caucasian, aged 23, with long black hair. She was wearing a short-sleeved black top and possibly a summer dress.
The pair were seen leaving the area in a small black station wagon, similar to a Mitsubishi Libero.
The victim had emergency surgery carried out this morning at Greenlane.
His condition is described as stable and is not considered life threatening.
Police want anyone who can help with their inquiry to contact Detective Kevin Blackman at Orewa police on 09 426 4555.
- NZPA
