Police are seeking witnesses to a potential assault in Flaxmere. Photo / File
A man in his 40s is in a serious condition, as of last night, after suffering "significant facial injuries".
Witnesses found the man lying in Diaz Drive, Flaxmere just after midnight yesterday .
Police are labelling it as a "potential assault" and are seeking witnesses.
A police spokesman said the man's injuries are unexplained at this stage. They are yet to speak to the victim.
Hastings District Council Flaxmere councillor Henare O'Keefe said "all his sympathies go out to the victim".
"No human on the face of the earth deserves to be treated like that. We've had a vicious assault of that nature in recent times and a guy lost his life."
"I am searching for answers and I am searching for solutions and they are not immediately at the fore.
"The answer to all of this, is you can do what you have to do, let the law do its course ... but as a human race, we've really got to take a good hard look at ourselves."
He urged people who knew something to come forward.
Anyone with any information that hasn't yet contacted us should get in touch with their local Police station or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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