Police are continuing with a homicide investigation after a 29 year-old man was fatally stabbed on Saturday night.

Cook Islands News understands the person died in a family dispute.

Police were called to the scene at a Tutakimoa residence at 7.21pm to find the man had succumbed to a knifing.

Police spokesperson Trevor Pitt said the man is alleged to have been involved in a domestic altercation.

A 56 year-old man was taken to Police Headquarters yesterday morning after being released from medical treatment.

He had sustained an injury to the head, during the fight. The accused has been remanded in custody facing a murder charge.

In a separate matter, a tourist was punched and an off duty police officer stabbed when a man went on a threatening rampage from town, on Saturday morning, Police said in a statement.

The male assailant was eventually apprehended by Police at 10.15am near CITC Supermarket. The police officer sustained a wound to the body and is recovering after being attended to, following the violent incident. 

The tourist had alerted Police when he filed a complaint of assault after being punched in town, around 10am. 

The offender was reportedly heavily intoxicated and aggressive. He had made his way to the Punanga Nui Market, seizing a pair of scissors from a retail outlet, and continuing on the main road in a threatening and abusive manner.  Police officers managed to contain the man near the Avatiu Mariner but one, who was off duty, was stabbed with the scissors.

“The man is known to Police, and recently released from prison. He was subsequently remanded on multiple charges, including carrying an offensive weapon, wounding with intent, and assaulting a constable,” Police said.