Man stabbed in Invercargill

A 26-year-old was stabbed up to five times in the torso outside a 21st birthday party in Invercargill early this morning.

Senior Sergeant Richard McPhail said emergency services were called to the party at the Marist rugby clubrooms on Miller St at 1.50am.

Two men seen running from the scene shortly after the stabbing were deemed "people of interest" and police were working to locate them today.

Mr McPhail said the wounded man was in a serious condition with four or five stab wounds when police arrived, but the most recent report from the hospital was that his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

Police were today conducting a scene examination and speaking with witnesses, some of whom said they had seen the man being stabbed.

- NZPA