Taxi driver stabbed in South Auckland

12:40 pm on 16 June 2018

A taxi driver has been stabbed with what is believed to be a screw driver while dropping customers off in South Auckland last night.

The police were called to Preston Road in the suburb of Otara shortly after 11pm last night.

They said while dropping two people off at a property the driver was told to get out of the car, then stabbed.

He escaped his attackers on foot and phoned the police.

He was taken to Middlemore Hospital with moderate injuries and the police are investigating.

Head of the Taxi Federation, John Hart, said drivers have had to consider safety more and more in recent years.

"It obviously makes people more nervous about working at night and where they work - the areas they work in. But it also highlights the need for security cameras in all small passenger vehicles.

"In the case of last night's attack, it if had a security camera, police will now have very clear pictures of the people involved."

Mr Hart said attacks on drivers were not common but unfortunately did happen.