Police hunting the man who raped and repeatedly stabbed a Manukau teenager have released an identity sketch and details of a distinctive cord worn around his neck.
The vicious attack took place in the early hours of last Friday at the 14-year-old Vietnamese girl's home in Hill Park.
She was
then dragged from her home and thrown over a fence down a 3m drop into a reserve.
Her cries for help as she was taken from the house alerted her mother and probably saved her life, said Detective Senior Sergeant Sue Schwalger, who heads the police investigation.
The teenager is in Middlemore Hospital recovering from 10 stab wounds.
"We are really, really pleased with what she has been able to give us considering the attack. She is just amazing," said Ms Schwalger.
The girl had provided a detailed description of her attacker, who is thought to be aged in his early 20s, over 1.7m tall and of medium build.
He wore dark-coloured clothing which was likely to be bloodstained after the attack. He wore an orange or yellow lanyard - a piece of cord with a clip with a number of keys attached to it. There was writing on the cord.
Ms Schwalger said the man might also be trying to conceal an injury.
Police would be looking at any intruder-type crimes or prowlers in the area as part of the investigation.
"We are starting to get a little bit of information trickling in from people in regards to prowlers but we have nothing to further the inquiry at this stage," said Ms Schwalger.
A car stolen from Howick the night before was found abandoned in the same reserve as the girl but it is not known if the crimes are linked.
Police want the car thief to contact them and want to hear from anyone else with information about the attack or suspicious activity.
The inquiry freephone number is 0800-GERONA, or 0800-437-662.
