Hawke's Bay police are asking for the public's help to identify a man involved in an incident at a local recreational park on Thursday.
Constable Victoria Holden said a female was approached from behind at about 3.45pm in the northern corner of Park Island in Napier while she was sitting on a bench seat.
The man grabbed at the teenage victim before she struck him, allowing her to break free of his grasp.
Ms Holden said the incident had traumatised the victim and asked for the public to help catch the man.
"This was a very brave response from the victim and we want to catch up with the man."