Flaxmere stabbing victim's message to his attacker: 'I hope he gets the help he needs'

Flaxmere resident Tamati Birch, 28, has been recovering since the random attack. Photo / Paul Taylor

A father chased and stabbed four times in a seemingly random attack in a Hastings suburb says he hopes his attacker "gets the help and support he needs".

Police were on Thursday still calling on the public for help to find the offender behind the attack at 5am on Saturday on Chatham Rd in Flaxmere.

Flaxmere resident Tamati Birch, 28, was walking home from a nightclub when he was stabbed in the neck while on Chatham Rd.

He told Hawke's Bay Today he ran not knowing he had been stabbed and fell before being stabbed in the back three more times.

He managed to get up and run away before a man came outside a house to help him, and Birch was rushed to hospital.

The incident happened near Chatham Park in Flaxmere. Photo / Paul Taylor

Birch spent two days in hospital, where he received surgery and stitches for his stab wounds. He has since been recovering at home.

He said he was recovering well but was "still sore in the neck and chest and it's sore when I talk".

"I hope the young man who did this gets help and support he needs - he is going through something and shouldn't do it alone," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone for their support here in Flaxmere and the wider community and all the positive and supportive messages I'm getting.

"I'd like to thank the medical team also who treated me and the man that came out of his home [to help me], I felt so relieved when he did.

"I'm getting ongoing support and counselling and will be just fine."

Tamati Birch underwent surgery following his injuries. Photo / Paul Taylor

He said he did not remember any altercations during his night out with workmates, which could possibly have led to the incident.

The man behind the attack is described as a skinny male in his early 20s, about 182 cm tall, with short hair and wearing a light-coloured top.

A police spokeswoman said the investigation into the attack was ongoing.

"There have been no arrests and enquiries are ongoing," she said.

"We continue to ask that anyone with information which may assist our enquiries get in touch, either via 105 or Crime Stoppers."

Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.