Two men have been stabbed in separate incidents five minutes apart outside a busy tourist lodge in Taupo tonight.
A 35-year-old man was stabbed in the chest outside the Silver Fern Lodge about 5.50pm, then five minutes later a 24-year-old Australian man, who was staying at the lodge, was stabbed in the stomach.
Both men told the lodge manager they were attacked a Maori youth, describing him as "wired". The alleged offender demanded money from the men, neither of whom gave him any.
Taupo police said the attacker used a 6-7 inch kitchen knife in the incidents.
A friend of the Australian victim, English traveller Selina Cutting, said she and three others were walking along the road when the offender came towards them.
He nudged the victim with his shoulder, before stabbing him in the abdomen.
Ms Cutting did not realise her friend had been stabbed, thinking that the offender wanted to start a fight.
She described the offender as a short Maori man in his 20s, who "looked like he was on drugs".
The 35-year-old victim from Whangarei was not staying at the lodge, but was in Taupo looking for property.
He had just bought pizza and beer and was heading back to his accommodation when he was stabbed.
Taupo police confirmed they were currently speaking to a person in connection to the incidents.
The victims are currently being interviewed by Taupo police and will be admitted to Taupo Hospital this evening for treatment. Their wounds are not life threatening.
Taupo police confirmed they were currently speaking to a person in connection to the incidents.
