Men arrested over taxi driver beating

New Plymouth police have arrested two men in connection with the severe beating of a taxi driver at the weekend.

Tony MacKenzie Mitchell, 61, from New Plymouth received serious facial injuries in the attack about 5am Sunday morning on Bayly St in Waitara, 16km northeast of New Plymouth.

He was admitted to Taranaki Base Hospital, but was discharged on Sunday afternoon and was now recovering at home.

Police yesterday arrested two men, aged 17 and 20, at a house on Calgher Ave near where the attack took place.

They were due to appear in the New Plymouth District Court today charged with aggravated robbery, Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward said.

Mr Mitchell said he was pleased to hear about the arrests, but was sceptical the men would get tough sentences.

"They'll only get a smack on the hand, they'll probably only get 100 hours (community work)," he told the Taranaki Daily News.

"I'd rather do 100 hours than what I've got at the moment."

The New Zealand Taxi Federation has called on Transport Minister Steven Joyce to revisit a decision not to make security cameras in cabs compulsory.

But Mr Joyce said making cameras compulsory was simplistic view and there were a number of measures which could be taken to make taxis safer.

Mr Mitchell picked the two men up early Sunday and was close to their destination on the other side of the town when they allegedly assaulted him.

A member of the public heard a ruckus across the road and called police.

Mr Mitchell was treated for severe bruising around his eyes and received stitches to his forehead, top of his head and near his eye.

Police were still seeking witnesses to the attack.

- NZPA