Police say they are not ruling out the possibility that more than one offender could have been involved in the brutal slaying of Auckland taxi driver Hiren Mohini.
Mr Mohini (39) crashed his cab into a tree in View Road, Mount Eden, about 1.20am yesterday after being repeatedly stabbed by a passenger, in what police described as a frenzied attack.
Police this afternoon confirmed that a knife has been found at the scene.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones would not give any more details about the weapon other than to say it was being forensically examined.
"We believe Mr Mohini picked up a fare in or around Sky City at about 1.13am. His emergency panic button was activated at 1.23am," Mr Jones said.
He said police were looking at CCTV footage near where the passenger was picked up in the city centre and carrying out door-to-door inquiries in Mt Eden.
"In any inquiry of this nature, CCTV will always form a large part. Unfortunately, CCTV reviewing is a very time consuming process."
They also still had to speak to other witnesses, including other taxi drivers who came to help their colleague.
Thirty investigators are hunting the killer, although Mr Jones said they were keeping their options open about how many people could have been involved.
Mr Mohini died at the scene as the result of multiple stab wounds inside his car, Mr Jones said.
"It was a particularly vicious, brutal and frenzied attack.
"We are not ruling out the possibility that more than one person may have been involved.
"I would urge the offender or offenders to come forward, or anyone who knows them, to tell us about it. Obviously they would have been covered in blood to some extent, and would be acting differently to normal."
Investigators were back at the scene today carrying out an area canvass, talking to residents and others.
"This is a complex murder investigation," Mr Jones added.
Police have described the man seen fleeing the scene was slim, dark-skinned in his mid to late 20s, about 1.74m tall, possibly with a limp. He had long, greasy wavy or curly hair, which was swept back from his forehead.
He was wearing dark jeans, black shoes, a long-sleeved shirt and carrying a black bag with a strap.
Mr Mohini leaves a wife and two daughters, aged five and two.
"He was a good man, and the father of two young children, who are grieving very badly," Mr Jones said.
"Naturally, his family are devastated. But they are receiving support from the taxi firm and extended family members." Other Co-op Taxi drivers were today still reeling from shock after the attack on their colleague.
One driver, who did not want to be named, said he stopped working at night after he was the victim of an attack.
"Two people started punching me in the cab and I was lucky someone came to my rescue really quickly," he said.
"It's never worth having an argument over the fare, because it's not worth risking your life."
The driver, who has lived in New Zealand for 14 years, said the penalty for murder in his native country of Iran is hanging.
"The problem is the punishment in this country for killing someone is not enough. People just think they can take a life and get away with it," he said.
Another Co-op Taxi driver, who has been driving cabs for 10 years since he moved to New Zealand from India, said he also refused to work at night.
"I just work in the day-time, but my colleagues who work at night-time are nervous now."
