Police want help from the public about an unprovoked attack on a 63-year-old man who was robbed in central Hastings.
The Hawke's Bay man is nursing serious head injuries after the robbery on Saturday evening, police said.
The man, who did not want to be identified, was struck from behind and robbed as he walked along Heretaunga St near the intersection with Allerton St about 6.45pm on Saturday.
Detective Paul Buckley said it was not known if the man was punched or if a weapon was used. The victim was knocked unconscious and his assailant took about $300 cash from his wallet and a late model cellphone.
The victim had little recollection of the attack and received a large cut to the top of his left ear which required several stitches.