The victims’ family said in a statement they were “heartbroken” and ”devastated” by the tragic loss of their loved ones.
“We are struggling to come to terms with the senseless violence that has taken three beautiful lives far too soon.
“They were deeply loved and will be missed beyond words.”
The family asked for privacy as they grieved together and supported one another during this “incredibly difficult time”.
A homicide investigation, dubbed Operation Train, was launched after emergency services were called at about 6am on Sunday.
Police said earlier that they found a mother and two of her children, a 3-month-old girl and a 17-month-old girl, with stab wounds.
Detective Inspector Martin James said one person – understood to be a child – was dead at the scene.
Two people were taken to hospital with critical injuries but later died.
James said a man was also taken to hospital and had surgery on Monday.
He said the victims were related and lived together at the house.
A coroner later issued a non-publication order over the names of the people involved.
Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency, including as a political reporter at Parliament, before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers. He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay. His writing in the crime and justice sphere is informed by four years of frontline experience as a probation officer.
