A man has been arrested in relation to two alleged “unprovoked” stabbings on an Auckland bus that left one man dead.

Police said the alleged stabbings, which are being treated as separate but connected, happened on Auckland Transport’s number 76 bus as it travelled from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei last night.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a 36-year-old man is now in police custody.

“Information was received from the public, subsequent to our earlier appeal today, which indicated our suspect was in the CBD this afternoon,” he said.

Baldwin earlier confirmed a 59-year-old man died in an alleged “unprovoked attack”.

A 51-year-old man, who was injured, had surgery today on his hand. He is in a serious but stable condition.

“Police staff flooded the lower downtown area, quickly gaining observations of the man.”

Balwin said he was quickly and safely taken into custody at the corner of Commerce and Fort Streets.

The 36-year-old man will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow, 10 December 2025.

“There is absolutely no place in our community for that kind of needless and senseless unprovoked violence.

“We are committed to undertaking a thorough investigation, understanding the motive and exactly why this occurred.”

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin. Photo / NZME

At the time, the bus driver was not aware of the significance of what was happening on the bus, Baldwin said.

He said the attack did not appear to be related to other violent events in the area. Baldwin said that none of the men knew each other “in any way” and the attacks seemed completely random.

Baldwin would not comment on whether the knife had been recovered. He said they were still searching the bus and believed it could be on there.

Baldwin confirmed that an off-duty nurse on the bus helped the second person. She had been talked to by the police.

Police want to speak to two young women who got on the bus when the first victim got off and got off before the second attack.

Timeline of bus attacks

Police have established the man got on the bus at 7.53pm on Apirana Ave.

“The first victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to exit the bus at 7.58pm,” Baldwin said.

A Glen Innes block of shops is under a cordon after a stabbing overnight.

“The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch St in Glen Innes.”

“An ambulance ...transported the man to hospital where he has later died from those injuries,” Baldwin said.

A cordon remains in place at the intersection, and a scene guard remained overnight.

A small pool of blood is visible at the scene beside a stack of pallets.

Baldwin said the bus continued on, and the second victim boarded at 8.09pm.

A bus has been seized as part of inquiries. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus.

“The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim.

“After a short confrontation the second victim managed to flee from the bus, along with another passenger and the bus driver near the bus stop at Coates Ave and Kepa Rd,” Baldwin said.

The offender got off the bus about this time, and was last seen fleeing on foot.

The second victim was taken to Auckland City Hospital with serious injuries.

A bus has been seized on Nehu St, Ōrākei, as part of the police investigation.

Detectives are being supported by the Armed Offenders Squad as they continue their search.

“Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night,” Baldwin said.

“I know this horrific event will leave the community unsettled, but please be assured that our investigation team is doing all we can to locate this man.”

Police are urging people with information to contact them and use the reference number 251208/7471 or Operation Gyle.

Police speak with a distressed member of the public after the stabbings. Photo / Michael Craig

‘Loved by the community’

The man killed was “loved by the community” says a local, who wished to be anonymous.

The local said the wounded man got off the bus outside the Fenchurch shops and sat on a set of blue pallets.

In a video the victim could be seen calmly walking, clutching his chest before he sits and a woman rushes to him and starts to rally people to help.

A man brings towels to try and stem the blood.

“It’s really sad. People are really, really sad,” the local said.

He was shocked the man - who was not one to start fights with people - could be the victim of such a violent act.

He also said he did not want the community to get a bad rap from people, especially after the violence in past days from around the area.

“These are good people who live around here, families. This isn’t us.”

An AT spokesperson said they were assisting police and providing support to the driver.

“We are very saddened to hear about these incidents, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families and our bus operator who was present.

“Our buses all have CCTV cameras onboard, and we are working closely with police.”

Josephine Bartley, ward councillor for Maungakiekie Tāmaki, urged anyone with information to contact police.

Police have launched an investigation at the intersection of Taniwha and Fenchurch Sts in Glen Innes after a man was fatally stabbed. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Bartley posted a video on social media while taking the 76 bus and said AT officers had been deployed on buses.

“I think people are wanting reassurance that it’s safe to get back on the bus,” Bartley said.

“I won’t lie, I am looking carefully at who’s boarding the bus.

“Not sure how I could identify if someone could be a potential danger. I suppose you could be careful wherever you go. If it’s some reassurance, there is CCTV on the bus.

“There is a text to 4343 if there are issues, but if life is at risk, I would call 111 and the bus driver has a safety screen.“

A man was fatally stabbed at the intersection of Taniwha and Fenchurch Sts in Glen Innes yesterday. Photo / Hayden Woodward