Kenyan killed in New Zealand

A memorial service has been held for the Kenyan man killed in the Christchurch attack which left a woman in intensive care and sparked an international manhunt.

Friends of Stephen Mwangi Maina, 39 came together in Ashburton.

The meat worker had been in New Zealand since late last year and was described as a jovial, outgoing man.

"They felt a kind of a relief that you know, it was such a simple and befitting service for Maina," says Mathengo Iratho, a family friend.

Lydiah Munene, the woman severely injured in the attack, remains in an induced coma.

Police hope to finish work at the murder scene on Saturday and the search for Munene's estranged husband continues.

Lydia was listed as stable until Friday when a Canterbury District Health Board spokeswoman said Munene's condition had deteriorated, and she was in "a serious condition".

"We're hoping she's going to be all right. She is very sick," the spokeswoman said.

Munene, a newly qualified nurse, was found in bed in her Avonhead flat with severe head injuries on Monday night.

She was lying next to the body of Maina.

Police believe Munene may have lain there since early Saturday when the attack was thought to have happened.

Munene's estranged husband, Samuel Ngumo Njuguna, who flew to Kenya on Sunday after leaving the couple's two children with a friend, is sought in connection with the murder and assault.

The couple's two children were being cared for by members of Christchurch's Kenyan community.

A community member, who declined to be named, said a meeting was being arranged to discuss a response to the attacks.

Detective Inspector Greg Williams said the inquiry was working with Maina's family to assist with arranging the funeral.

His body was being returned to Kenya.

Williams said scene examinations were continued on Friday at Munene's flat and at the house she jointly owned with Njuguna in Mairehau.

Njuguna's red Peugeot was also examined.

Williams said police were liaising with the Crown Law Office and Interpol "in terms of exploring avenues within Kenya".

While New Zealand does not have an extradition treaty with Kenya, Kenya does have a law that provides for extradition to Commonwealth countries.

Crown Law Office spokeswoman Jan Fulstow said an extradition from Kenya would be the first in some time.

A search of records could not find a case in the past 20 years, she said.