Burning teen a joke to partygoers - police

Partygoers thought it was funny to watch a Hastings teenager be set on fire in a "disturbing" drunken prank, a detective says.

Hastings Detective Mark Moorhouse said that it appeared there had been no argument or anger behind the attack, which resulted in 16-year-old Hayden Calder being doused in petrol and set alight at a birthday party on Friday night.

"My understanding is a number of people in attendance thought it was quite funny and thought it was funnier to stand back and watch instead of helping this boy. That's what I find most disturbing."

Police were still piecing together what had happened and said the incident seemed to involve "a lot of young men under the influence of alcohol".

Mr Moorhouse had visited the injured teenager in hospital, where he was in a stable condition.

"They've still got some work to do. He's got serious burns to his back, neck and right ear. It was quite dangerously close to his airways."

A 17-year-old youth had been arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He would appear in the Hastings District Court on August 23.

Mr Moorhouse said he could not rule out further charges or arrests.

A friend of Hayden, Jade Penney, heard about the incident from a friend on Facebook on Sunday.

"I was just horrified. I don't know who could have done that."

She had seen fist fights and altercations at parties, but nothing like the viciousness of this attack, she said.

Hayden had had broken arms and other injuries in the past, and had a lot of support so would manage, she said.

"He's got a lot of people beside him. He will cope."

- APN