Masterton bashing suspect arrested

Benjamin Birch, 28, is in Wellington Hospital after being bashed on the head as he was walking from a Raglan St home early on December 31.

A 27-year-old man was arrested in the Hutt Valley yesterday afternoon in relation to the brutal bashing of Mauriceville man Benjamin Birch.

He was held in police custody until his court appearance in Lower Hutt District Court.

His case will likely be transferred to Masterton District Court this month.

Detective senior sergeant Scott Miller says they believe associates of the man assisted him in eluding police enquiries and they will be spoken to.

Mr Birch was bashed in the head and face by a man wielding a heavy weapon as he was walking from a Raglan St property after a social gathering early in the morning on December 31.

Emergency services placed him in an induced coma before flying him by air ambulance to Wellington hospital, where he underwent surgery.

Family at the hospital said he was doing well after surgery and remembered being attacked.

Younger brother Dylan Birch said "thank God ... great news" when told of the arrest.

Benjamin Birch, 28, is a wool presser who has competed in past Golden Shears events and was training to compete in this year's competition.