Girl attacked in house with friends

A 16-year-old girl is severely traumatised after being throttled in a vicious attack at Golden Bay, northwest of Nelson.

Senior Sergeant Grant Andrews of Motueka said the girl was woken by a man entering her room early yesterday.

Mr Andrews said the man "viciously attacked" the girl, strangling her to the point that she blacked out.

"She is seriously traumatised. We found it difficult to talk to her."

The girl struggled and screamed out to her friends before the man fled. There was no apparent motive for the attack, he said.

Detective John Nicholls said the girl was staying in holiday accommodation with five friends to mark the end of high school exams.

The girl had been watching videos with her friends but had gone to bed earlier than them.

Mr Nicholls said the girl was recovering at home. She had suffered neck and throat bruising, a bleeding nose and minor eye injuries.

"All the girls have returned to their homes in Nelson," Mr Nicholls said. "All were particularly upset and terrified by the ordeal."

Ten police are working on the case.

Mr Andrews said a man in his early thirties had approached the girls while they were sitting outside their accommodation about 10pm.

It was not known whether he was the one involved in the attack, but police wanted to speak to him.

- NZPA