A Newmarket security guard's actions are being described as truly heroic

Lopeti was stabbed in the neck during an altercation with a person fleeing outside Auckland's Westfield Newmarket on Thursday.

He's been through surgery and is recovering in hospital.

Lopeti's had a number of visitors, including Police Minister Mark Mitchell and Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff-Thomas.

In a social media post, Knoff-Thomas says he's recovering well and is expected to be released from hospital after the weekend.