The latest news on fatal stabbing of Auckland businessman Austin Hemmings.
KEY POINTS:
1.00pm: Police have singled out for praise the quick thinking of doctors, nurses and paramedics who rushed to help Mr Hemmings.
At a police press conference Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley said, "there are a lot of heroes here". He said doctors and nurses from a nearby medical
surgery had rushed out to try to help Mr Hemmings after he had been stabbed but had been unable to save him.
12.06pm: Head of NZI Karl Armstrong says the thoughts of the company are with Mr Hemmings' family.
He tells Newstalk ZB: "He was a kind, caring and genuine person with extremely strong personal values, first and foremost a family man. So to a degree it comes as no surprise to us that he went to the aid of someone in distress, that's the kind of person he was."
11.52am: At a press conference near the scene this morning, police describe Austin Hemmings' actions as "heroic" and praise a passer-by who tried to perform CPR.
Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley says Mr Hemmings' "amazing beautiful family" is experiencing "total devastation".
He praises those who helped at the scene: "There were a lot of heroes here that showed that community-minded spirit."
11.35am: Prime Minister Helen Clark tells the Herald the fatal stabbing of Mr Hemmings is "atrocious".
"For an innocent person who went to a woman's aid to be fatally stabbed like this is absolutely atrocious.
"It is very shocking, and quite unusual in that area. I certainly wouldn't want to see people afraid of coming into the city because of it."
11am: A spokesman for the company where Mr Hemmings worked, IAG, says the company will make a statement about him today.
It is currently speaking staff about the devastating news, a company spokesman says.
10.50am: Police say the forensic investigation of Mills Lane, Auckland Central, where Mr Hemmings was stabbed should continue all day.
The lane, running near Queen St, will be closed.
10.45am: A police spokesman says Mr Hemmings' family is more than devastated by his death.
"It is everyone's worst nightmare come true."
10.40am: Police reveal they are investigating four scenes around Auckland after last night's stabbing.
In a statement Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley says:
"As a result of our investigations overnight, we have secured another four scenes at various locations in the metropolitan area so it will take some time to fully examine all the scenes but we will prioritise in order to cause the least amount of inconvenience to members of the public."
10.30am: The man arrested in connection with Mr Hemmings' stabbing is remanded in custody after appearing in Auckland District Court today on an assault charge.
Judge Paul grants the accused name suppression and remands him in custody on a charge of assaulting a woman to reappear on October 17.
9.38am: Police name the stabbing victim as Austin Bernard Hemmings, a 44-year-old father of three who moved from Hamilton to Auckland six months ago.
He worked as a broker manager IAG House which backs onto Mills Lane,
4.30am September 26: Armed police arrest a 45-year-old sickness beneficiary in Otahuhu and charge him with male assaults female.
5.50pm September 25: Austin Hemmings is fatally stabbed after going to the aid of a woman who had allegedly been punched in the face.
