Knife attack

A teenager is lucky to be alive after his throat was slit with a knife in a bloody attack that Whangarei police are describing as a random act of violence.

And police are looking for a second person involved in the vicious assault that left an 18-year-old needing emergency surgery to staple together his slashed neck.

Detective Sergeant Shane Pilmer said the victim had been enjoying a night out with friends when he was set upon by two men while he sat in Cameron St Mall.

Within seconds a short verbal exchange escalated into an unprovoked knife attack.

A police source said the teen suffered a wound that went from one side of his neck to the other.

The victim did not know his attackers.

"He was in the wrong place at the wrong time as far as we know," said Pilmer.

The two men fled on foot but one was caught shortly after by police.

Pilmer said they did not know the identity of the second man involved in the attack and were appealing to the public for help.

The victim is expected to make a full recovery.

A 17-year-old male is to appear in the Whangarei District Court tomorrow.