Blenheim

Hiko Lynch, 23, was stabbed with a 24-centimetre knife, thrust upwards into his abdomen, which pierced his heart. He collapsed onto the ground where he died, in the early hours of June 20 last year.

The details of that night recorded by police have been released publicly for the first time as the gang member, Auckland man George Junior Pikaahu, 34, originally charged with murder, admitted a charge of manslaughter for his part in Lynch’s death.

The two men were injured in the early hours of Sunday morning, 20 June.

They were released from Blenheim’s Wairau Hospital, a Nelson Marlborough Health spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Lynch and the two men were out celebrating a birthday when they were seriously injured in what police believe was an altercation between the Tongan men and a gang from outside the region, according to Stuff.co.

A Givealittle page set up by Lynch’s employer Hortus has seen over 200 people pledge over $13,000 by this morning for his family.

According to the company, the funds will support Hiko's family in Tonga through this tragic and difficult time.

“All proceeds will go directly back to his family.”

The 23-year-old from Holonga, Tonga was killed in an alleged stabbing incident early Sunday morning.

A cousin has identified the victim as Hiko Lynch. He was one of a group of Tongan Recognised Seasonal Employer workers who worked for Hortus in Blenheim.

Police were called to a disorder incident on Market St at about 2:55am, one person died at the scene according to a report on Kaniva News.

Two people were also seriously injured and taken to hospital where they remain in a serious condition, Marlborough Area Commander Inspector Simon Feltham said.