Stabbed man had criminal convictions: police

A man found stabbed to death near Rotorua on Saturday had criminal convictions and police say he was well known to them.

Hemi Hohepa, 27, was found on Saturday afternoon in the Redwood Grove area of the Whakarewarewa forest by two walkers.

A large police team is investigating the death but a lack of leads is slowing progress.

Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said Mr Hohepa was picked up from his home by a man in a vehicle at about 12.30am on Thursday but his movements since then are not known.

"We are very keen to speak to that person who did pick him up...," Mr Turner told Radio New Zealand today.

He said police were keeping an open mind as to whether Mr Hohepa died where he was discovered, but it was more likely the single stab wound that killed him was received elsewhere.

"Either he has been carried to where we found him or has run there perhaps in an attempt to hide from his attacker or attackers."

Mr Turner said police were keen to speak to anyone who found either discarded clothing or knives in the Rotorua area on Thursday.

"We will consider any possibility if the public find anything unusual, or in fact heard or saw anything unusual in the early hours of Thursday morning."

Mr Turner said Mr Hohepa was no stranger to Rotorua police. He had convictions for dishonesty offences and was associating with members of the Mongrel Mob gang in the city.

Police had not ruled out drug connections or any other possible criminal ties.

Mr Turner said police had little information to go on in terms of the investigation but would by the end of the week have a much clearer picture of Mr Hohepa's lifestyle and who he associated with.

- NZPA