Police investigating the murder of an Australian resident stabbed at New Zealand's Waihi Beach on New Year's Day say they've recovered items of interest, including several knives.

Robert Murray Wilkinson, 64, an expat New Zealander living in Queensland, died in Waikato Hospital on Thursday.

Mr Wilkinson and his wife were staying in a caravan in front of a friend's house at Waihi Beach.

He was stabbed after a disturbance outside their caravan about 1am on Tuesday.

Police say they've now completed their scene examination, as well as searches around nearby properties.

Detective Inspector Chris Page says several knives are among the items of interest recovered over the weekend.

Meanwhile, members of the public have been able to assist the investigation by accessing social media sites.

This has helped police build up an accurate picture of who was in the area at the time of the attack on Mr Wilkinson, Det Insp Page says.