Police have asked for the public's help in locating this man after a stabbing in central Auckland.

Police have released footage of a man they want to talk to after a "violent stabbing" in central Auckland.

The stabbing happened on Pitt Street on Sunday afternoon, police said.

"At approximately 3.05pm on Sunday 2nd September 2018, the victim and a friend were confronted by the offender near the Methodist Church car park on Pitt Street where he was stabbed in the neck and received significant injuries," Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid said.

Around 3pm, the offender had verbally abused a man who was preaching on Karangahape Rd, outside St Kevin's Arcade, and the victim had asked the offender to stop, Schmid said.

After the verbal altercation, the victim and his friend walked towards Pitt Street where they were confronted by the offender and the victim was stabbed, Schmid said.

"Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed this or recognises the man in the attached photos," Schmid said.

"This was a violent attack where the actions of the offender far outweighed the minor altercation that led to the attack and he needs to be held to account.

"We urge anyone who witnessed either this incident, or recognises the man in the image to contact police immediately."

Anyone with information can contact the Auckland City Crime Squad on 09 302 6557, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555-111, or send police a private message on Facebook.