Knives collected as murder probe continues

Several knives have been collected by police investigating the murder of a holidaymaker at Waihi Beach early on New Year's Day.

Last week police appealed for the person who handed in a knife to a security guard after the stabbing to come forward. They had since done so.

Murray Wilkinson, a 64-year-old ex-pat New Zealander living in Queensland, died in Waikato Hospital on Thursday after he suffered neck and head injuries when he went to investigate a noise outside the caravan he was sleeping in at a Beach Rd house.

Detective Inspector Chris Page, said about 30 police staff from across the North Island were working on the investigation.

The house had been handed back to the family after the scene examination was completed and it had been cleaned and blessed.

"During the course of our enquiries over the weekend a number of items of interest have been recovered, including several knives as the support of the local community continues," Mr Page said

Assistance from the public had given police an accurate picture of who was in the area at the time of Mr Wilkinson's attack.

A temporary police station at the scene had been removed but the public could still speak to police at Waihi Beach police station.

The public could also contact the investigation team via the Operation Brad crimeline, 0800 Op Brad (0800 672723), or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.