Police can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm.

He then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Road, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.

Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.

“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”

The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Road.

Anyone who saw this vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact Police.

Please contact police online or call 105, using the reference number 250419/9858.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police wanted to identify witnesses in a white Toyota Ute driving west along St Johns Road around the time of the assault.

At the same time, CCTV footage shows a bus stopping to pick up passengers.

The white ute was cut off by a mid-sized black SUV, which police believe was involved in the attack.

The white ute was cut off by a black SUV, which executed a U-turn in front of it, Baldwin said.

"That white Toyota ute has a black roll cage sports bar on it."

He said it had to come to a stop, and the bus stopped behind it.

He said all three vehicles then left at about 9.50pm. (edited) 

The black SUV continued along St Johns Road towards the Meadowbank shops.

“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they are not involved in the homicide.”

Police urge those occupants to come forward.

“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Road,” Baldwin says.

“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”

They have been contacted by a number of people with key information over the past couple of days.

He said police were not in a position to release the victim's name yet.

"We are still working through the formal identification process."

They were liaising with the family who lived overseas, who were still notifying other family members.

"This is a life-changing event for them and a horrible event that will endure with them for some time.

"This is not the news that anyone would want to receive."

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin at a media stand-up regarding the bus stop homicide investigation, St Johns Road, Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

Baldwin says "the victim was subjected to a senseless attack which left him with serious head injuries. 

People who witnessed the attack called emergency services, which responded quickly. The victim succumbed to his injuries at Auckland Hospital.

They have not identified or located the weapon involved and are keeping an open mind on that, he said.

The police are seeking to clarify the victims movements on Saturday. 

He went to the Meadobank shops and purchased some items before walking to the bus stop. 

They are trying to understand why he stopped at the bus stop.

He did not flag down the bus.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin has told media that police are seeking a black SUV and its occupants who they believe are involved. 

They are also seeking “critical witnesses” in a white Toyota ute driving in a westerly direction along St John’s Rd.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin is to give media an update on the case at 1.30pm today at the scene.

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Peers have named US doctoral student Kyle Whorrall as the victim of the fatal bus stop attack in Meadowbank onSaturday night.

• The victim of a “senseless” attack at an Auckland bus stop has been named as US doctoral student Kyle Whorrall.
• Whorrall, 33 - who was studying entomology and may have been out looking for insects when he was assaulted - died in hospital after being attacked on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank on Saturday night.
• Police are seeking a black SUV and its occupants which they believe was involved in the attack.
• They are also seeking “critical witnesses” in a white Toyota ute.