A man who was stabbed on a suburban street in Auckland on Saturday afternoon has died in hospital.

A homicide investigation has been launched after the incident in Blockhouse Bay.

Acting Detective Inspector Craig Bolton, of Auckland City CIB, said there was a "violent confrontation" about 3.40pm on Saturday on Holbrook St, near the intersection of Shoreham St.

"The male victim has sustained a stab wound during this confrontation, before he has got into a vehicle with his associates and driven away to a nearby bus stop on Blockhouse Bay Road."

An ambulance was called and the man was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition, while police were notified.

Bolton said the victim underwent emergency surgery and was in intensive care, but died on Sunday night.

Police are seeking any witnesses to the initial confrontation on Holbrook St, or near the bus stop on Blockhouse Bay Rd.

Scene examinations took place in two locations on Saturday, including where the victim was found by ambulance staff and the scene where the initial altercation took place.

"I'm asking anyone who was in the area at the time and has information, to come forward.

"If you have dashcam footage, CCTV footage or saw anything - we need to hear from you," Bolton said.

He said police had contacted the man's family.

"Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time, and we will continue to update them on progress in our enquiries."

But Bolton also said police had been granted interim non-public orders around the victim's name from the Coroner's Office.

"We are in a sensitive phase of our investigation, and we haven't taken this step lightly, but the community can be reassured that we are working to identify those present and responsible," Bolton said.