Man critically injured after stabbing in central Hamilton

A 27-year-old man has been charged following a stabbing in central Hamilton on Friday afternoon. The individual faces charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault, and threatening to kill, and was expected in Hamilton District Court today.

Emergency services were called to Anglesea Street, between Rostrevor and Liverpool streets, at approximately 2.45pm. A man was found with critical injuries and transported to Waikato Hospital. Witnesses reported seeing a trail of blood on the footpath and a man holding his neck outside the Te Whare Korowai Hamilton Christian Night Shelter.

The incident reportedly involved a dispute between men from the local streetie community. Chris Saunders, 37, stated his friend was stabbed in the neck following a dispute involving "pushing and shoving" with another man he knew. Saunders said he saw a blade before one of the men ran away.

Police cordoned off the intersections of Anglesea Street with both London and Rostrevor streets for a scene examination. Hamilton Deputy Mayor Geoff Taylor described the incident as "very distressing" and noted that issues outside the shelter have persisted for too long.

How it developed

• Fri 2 Oct, 4:45pmThe third report confirmed the age of the arrested man and the specific criminal charges brought against him.

Where reports differ

• Reports vary on the exact time of the incident, with one stating just before 3pm and others stating approximately 2.45pm

Compiled from reports by Waikato Times, RNZ and NZ Herald.