Man in court after stabbing

An attempted-murder investigation is under way in Tokoroa after the discovery of a critically ill man in Kelso St about 2pm last Friday.

The 29-year-old is being treated in Auckland Hospital for stab wounds and severe head injuries.

The man's condition has stabilised, but police say that he is not out of danger yet.

When the man was found there were grave concerns that he would not live long, said Detective Sergeant Karl Thornton.

A 21-year-old man will appear in the Taupo District Court tomorrow. He was remanded in custody after a brief court appearance in Tokoroa yesterday.

Mr Thornton said the man arrested was a known gang associate, but he could not say whether the victim was also involved with gangs.

The man arrested was "known but not well-known" to the man who was assaulted.

It was unclear exactly what happened on Friday, but both men had been drinking.

"They were not at the same party," Mr Thornton said.

"The attack took place at a Kelso St address after the offender has got the victim to come around to the address."

The property where ambulance staff found the injured man was not his home, nor that of the alleged attacker.