New Zealand tourist victim of random stabbing attack in Vancouver, Canada

A New Zealand tourist has been the victim of a random stabbing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Photo / Supplied

A New Zealander on holiday in Vancouver has been stabbed in what appears to have been a “completely random and unprovoked” attack, police say.

The tourist, 28, was reportedly approached from behind last night by a man unknown to him in the Granville Entertainment District, a downtown neighbourhood of bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

He told police the man stabbed him on the corner of Nelson and Granville just before 8pm yesterday (Vancouver time).

The Kiwi managed to take himself to hospital for what has been described as non-life-threatening injuries.

“From what we know so far, this attack appears to be completely random and unprovoked,” said Constable Tania Visintin of the Vancouver Police Department.

Investigators are looking for a man about 165cm tall, with a medium complexion, who was wearing a white T-shirt, dark jeans and a blue baseball cap.

No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has been approached for comment.

News outlet Daily Hive Vancouver reports that the Granville Entertainment District has been “a problem for police, with various violent incidents” in recent years.

- Kurt Bayer is a South Island correspondent based in Christchurch. He is a senior journalist who joined the Herald in 2011.