Operation Brad - Waihi Beach stabbing, release 3

As the investigation into how a man visiting Waihi Beach from Australia suffered critical stab wounds early on New Year's Day heads into its second day. Police say it is crucial they speak to people before they leave the area.

Eastern Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Dana McDonald, said the 64-year-old man remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital's Intensive Care Unit with severe head injuries.

"Police investigating yesterday morning's attack commenced a scene examination yesterday afternoon that continued into the night and resumed this morning, assisted by ESR forensic staff.

"At the same time other officers are continuing an area canvas, going door to door speaking to people staying in the area who may have seen or heard something during the early hours of yesterday morning. It is this phase which is really crucial for us in piecing together events."

Police know that at the time of the incident, about 1am on Tuesday 01 January, there were a lot of people in the vicinity of where the man was attacked.

"Officers were moving large numbers of mostly young people on from the area around the surf club, the motor camp, Beach Rd and Ocean View Rd about the time of this incident and someone may have noticed something or someone suspicious."

To that end, Mr McDonald said it was very important that people leaving the area today, who may have seen something or who may have knowledge of what happened make contact with Police.

"Waihi Beach's normal population is around 3000 and we know this swelled to about 16,000 over the period between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Many of those people will be heading back home today, possibly with information vital to our investigation.

"We have set up a mobile Police Station at the scene of yesterday's attack, on the corner of Beach and Ocean View Roads where people can make contact with the enquiry team or they can phone 07 858 6200 and leave their contact details and a member of the enquiry team will contact them."

Alternatively information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

"This is a tragedy for the man's family and in fact the wider Waihi Beach community and it is important that anyone with any information makes contact with the enquiry team either directly or through Crimestoppers."

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