One dead, several others injured After Whanganui stabbing

One person is dead and five others after a grisly stabbing in central Whanganui.

Police have launched a homicide investigation after they were called to the New World Supermarket at 4.15pm on Tuesday following reports that a number of people were injured.

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Detective Inspector Paul Baskett confirmed one person dead at the scene on Wicksteed St. Five other people had been transferred to Whanganui Hospital with moderate to serious injuries.

Though the investigation was in its very early stages, Baskett said one person was taken into custody immediately after the incident and police were not looking for anyone else.

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A witness, who did not wish to be named, said he was packing groceries into his car when he heard a woman crying for help.

"She came across the carpark from Wicksteed St. She had severe facial and arm lacerations, and told us she and others were attacked by a man with a knife on the corner of Wicksteed and the Liverpool streets." He said that emergency services were called while he and others did their best to help and comfort her.

At the same time, another man approached from Liverpool St with a stab wound to his neck, the witness said. The bleeding man told those gathered There was another woman who was badly injured.

New World staff retrieved a first aid kit and started helping the victims, shortly before police and ambulance staff arrived.

A nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said there was "blood on the ground" and five police cars at the scene.

Officers had cordoned off the bloodied area where there were a number of overturned trolleys visible.

Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall, who had been briefed on the situation by police, said it was a tragedy for the city.

"It's such a shame for Whanganui, especially at the start of a new year."

A staffer at the New World Supermarket declined to comment, referring queries to owner Foodstuffs.

While a spokeswoman for the grocery company confirmed there had been "an incident", she said the matter was now with police and declined to comment further.

As of 8pm, police were still wandering around the streets of Whanganui.

Yellow police tape was tied by trolleys, all that separated a large splatter of people from the public.

Blood-stained pillows and tea towels were packed away by police as they gathered evidence.

Properties along Wicksteed St were cordoned off, with the flapping police tape only only noticeable sound.