At least five people have been injured in a stabbing attack in Auckland, New Zealand

One person is in custody after a stabbing incident in East Coast Bays, New Zealand, where a large kitchen knife was left at the scene.

Local emergency services say four people have been sent to a nearby hospital.

Chris Darby is a local councillor who says his “heart aches for the family and friends of the victims and what they are going through”.

Authorities are praising members of the public for intervening, saying the incident could have been a lot worse.

It’s believed the incident is a random attack, with no indications of terror or a hate crime.

“I can assure the community there is no harm to anyone else, police have apprehended the attacker with the help of brave locals,” Darby says

It follows another stabbing last year, where a man went on spree at a local supermarket, which left several people injured.

Lawmakers tightened counter-terrorism laws in response.