Woman charged with Whakatane stabbing

CRIME SCENE: A Whakatane man remains in a critical condition after he was stabbed on Tuesday night. Photo/ Katee Shanks

A 27-year old woman will appear in the Whakatane District Court this afternoon facing charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after a man was stabbed in Whakatane last night.

Eastern Bay of Plenty police attended Whakatane Hospital last night after being notified of the stabbing, which police say appeared to be a domestic incident.

The man suffered serious injuries to his chest and was flown to Waikato Hospital for emergency surgery. He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in a critical but stable condition.

Police are today carrying out an examination of the scene and speaking to witnesses in and around the address - reported to be in Hotene St.

"This has been an almost fatal incident which is, unfortunately, domestic related and very serious. We are yet to establish the full reconstruction of events at the house and will be carrying out a forensic examination today and we are not looking for anyone else connected to the stabbing at this stage.

"I reinforce, family violence accounts for approximately half of all murders annually in New Zealand and accounts for an even higher number of serious assaults so I urge couples who may be having difficulty at this time of year to seek support from other family members, think before you react and consider consequences," Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Standen said.