Whangarei police are hunting a Maori man who stabbed a taxi driver on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday night.
Taxi driver Bill Coker is recovering at home from several cuts and bruises received fighting off the man, whom he picked up at the intersection of Kamo Rd and Mains Ave in the Whangarei suburb of Kensington about 8.30.
The passenger turned on Mr Coker at the intersection of Dip and Pipiwai Rds. After a struggle, Mr Coker managed to get out of the car.
The attacker then drove off in the taxi, which was found near the Ruatangata garage.
Detective Sergeant Chris Scahill said police wanted to hear from anyone who may have seen the green 1992 Toyota Corona taxi, one of the Kiwi Carlton Cabs fleet, or the offender in Kensington or along Pipiwai Rd.
The man is described as 1.8m, solidly built, light featured, clean-shaven and with medium length, curly black hair. He was wearing dark trousers, a light T-shirt and carrying a jacket and a shoulder bag.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Craig McCormack on 09 430-4508.
ROTORUA
Rotorua police are still searching for Jody Rewiri, better known as Jody Rutledge, 11 months after he allegedly shot at two people in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The drive-by shooting happened on February 18 as the driver of the 4WD, who was accompanied by a small child, was turning into a Rotorua address.
Two bullets were fired from what was believed to be a .22 pistol.
The first was deflected by the vehicle's bullbar and narrowly missed the occupants. The second shot missed the vehicle.
Detective Garry Hawkins said Rewiri/Rutledge could be violent and was a suspect in a number of incidents.
The 32-year-old is about 1.76m, has no facial hair, and is believed to be quite skinny after nearly a year on the run.
He has brown eyes and his hair, naturally dark brown, was blond when he was last seen.
Police believe he is still in the Bay of Plenty, most likely in Rotorua or Tauranga, but say he may have moved to Te Kaha or Gisborne.
It is thought he may be ready to turn himself in, and he can do so at any police station.
If anyone has seen Rewiri or knows his whereabouts a confidential phone call can be made to 0800-TIP-OFF.
COUNTIES MANUKAU
The Counties Manukau police crime squad would like to speak to David Potusa about a home invasion in Wyllie Rd, Papatoetoe, on October 4.
Potusa is a 40-year-old Pacific Islander, 1.68m, with black hair, brown eyes and of medium build. He is also known as David or Tavita Olo or Tavita Potusa.
The home invasion involved a serious assault with a weapon on a man at the house. Another man has been arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, injuring with intent and assault with a weapon.
Anyone who knows David Potusa is can ring the crime squad on 09 2611-327 or 025 880-994.
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