Knife found on highway during murder investigation

Police have found a knife on the side of State Highway 50 which may be linked to the murder of a central Hawke's Bay man.

Police and friends and family of Mark McCutcheon today searched along SH50 from Ongaonga to Waipawa looking for items of interest to the murder inquiry.

The 34-year-old father of three was fatally stabbed after going to help a woman being beaten by a patched gang member outside the Sandford Arms Hotel in Ongaonga last Friday night.

Mr McCutcheon left in his car and was found dead in the vehicle, in a nearby paddock off SH50 early the next morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave de Lange of Hastings police said a knife was found in grass on the roadside about 1km from Ongaonga.

A pouch that fits the knife was found about 400 metres further along the road.

The knife was now being sent for forensic testing.

Police were unable to comment on whether the weapon was linked to Mr McCutcheon's murder until testing was complete.

A 22-year-old Waipawa man has been charged with assaulting Mr McCutcheon last Friday night, with further charges likely.

- NZPA