Police say they have been in regular contact with the couple's family through Victim Support during this "extremely difficult time".
"This is an absolutely tragedy for this family, their friends and wider community," detective inspector Scott Beard said.
Beard has described the killings as "a tragedy" and a "family harm incident".
Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the attack was "not random". Photo / George Heard
Herman Bangera and Elizabeth Bangera
Pamela Brooking, former director of Child Evangelism Fellowship, who knew the couple well, described Herman, 60, as a "lovely man and wonderful dad" and the family as the "epitome of what family is".
Brooking said Herman was a volunteer at the organisation for a period of time since about 2011 when it had its headquarters in Penrose.
AUT lecturer Ranjana Gupta earlier told the Herald she was shocked to learn her former neighbours were both dead.
"Who would kill them? I cannot understand that. There has to be some kind of motive behind the killing."
Elizabeth Bangera, 55, worked at the University of Auckland.
A spokesperson said the university is "shocked and saddened".
"Elizabeth has been part of our university community for many years, working as a group services co-ordinator in the School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.
"She was a highly respected colleague and friend."
Police at the scene where two people were stabbed to death in Epsom. Photo / George Heard
The spokeswoman said support and trauma counselling was being offered to anyone in the university who may have been affected by the incident.
The couple immigrated to New Zealand from the Indian state of Goa and moved into the block of flats around 2007 because it was in zone for Auckland Grammar where their son attended, Gupta said.
