The man who died after being assaulted at an Auckland bus stop has been identified by a colleague as US PhD student Kyle Whorrall.
Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank on Saturday night. He was taken to hospital where he died from his injuries.
Police said the motive for the attack was still unknown, but believed someone in the community knew the two offenders involved.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said they were seeking witnesses in a white Toyota ute, which was driving in a westerly direction along St Johns Rd, and cut off by a black SUV, which u-turned in front of it.
They believe the black SUV was involved in the crime, and they would like help to identify its occupants.
The occupants of the white ute are critical witnesses, Baldwin said.
Baldwin said Whorrall, 33, went to the supermarket about 9.40pm and walked 400m to the bus stop.
Kyle Whorrall, 33, was killed at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank, Auckland. Photo: SUPPLIED
He then sat at the bus stop, and did not flag down a bus that was in the vicinity.
The stop was not his usual one. It was only a few minutes later that he was attacked, Baldwin said.
"He was subjected to a senseless attack by people in a black SUV," Baldwin said.
Police have been contacted by a number of people but are still seeking witnesses in the vicinity of St John's Rd before 10pm.
Baldwin said police were not ready to release Whorrall's name and were still contacting family overseas.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
The US Embassy of New Zealand said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance to Whorrall's family.
Baldwin said police believe the weapon was "a long one".
Baldwin said police are seeking to identify the occupants of the black SUV and that there was potentially a third person in the SUV at the time of the attack.
Community reacts
Auckland's Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said she understood Whorrall was a PhD student at the University of Auckland. He had been studying entomology.
She had sent a letter to the Auckland University, expressing her condolences.
"That community, especially those studying for their PhD, those doctorate students, they must be feeling very upset too," she said.
Flowers had been left at the bus stop. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
At the scene, nearby resident Kate Thompson said she often walked along that street at night.
"I think lots of people do," she said.
"I've never had a problem at all, it's a quiet neighbourhood, I don't know of anyone who's had a problem."
A tribute on Facebook said Whorrall was working on his dissertation at the university.
"I'm sure all of his friends, family, and colleagues are in shock, as I am. Senseless and tragic," it said.
The university did not want to comment when approached by RNZ.
"NZ police has requested that details are not discussed or shared while their investigation is underway.
"We will be able to provide more information once the victim's identity has been confirmed."
It comes less than a year after another entomologist was killed in Auckland.
Stephen Thorpe was killed at the Blockhouse Bay Tennis Club in August.
A 26-year-old man was charged with his murder and was currently before the courts.
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