Armed police surround suburban Hastings shops after stabbing, one critically injured

She said the area was usually quiet.

Another who lives in the area described the shopkeeper as “a good man, just a really good man working with his son”.

Police confirmed two people had been taken to hospital, one in a moderate condition, the other in a critical condition.

A Hato Hone St John spokesman said they responded with two ambulances, and an operations manager responded to the scene.

“Our ambulance staff treated two patients at the scene and transported them to Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital.”

A large police presence can be seen on Kiwi St, in Hastings, following an incident on Thursday about 3pm. There is no indication the school bus in the photo is a part of the incident. Photo / Rafaella Melo