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A man will undergo surgery in Palmerston North Hospital after being stabbed in the buttocks during a "cowardly" attack in the city centre early today.
Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan, of Palmerston North police, said the 18-year-old man was hit on the head with a bottle then stabbed in the buttocks by up to three Polynesia men.
"He was then struck from behind by what can only be described as a cowardly punch, which caused him to fall to the ground," Mr Milligan said.
While he lay unconscious, he was picked up and thrown to the ground.
Mr Milligan said one man has been arrested and charged with assault, while police were working to identify two others believed to have been involved.
The victim was in a stable condition, waiting for surgery.
- NZPA
