Pair bashed in city park

One man is in hospital and another is nursing injuries after a late-night violent robbery in an inner-city Auckland park.

The two men were sitting on a bench in Myers Park late on Monday night when they were approached by two strangers.

The strangers punched both men in the face before stealing a shoulder bag containing a German passport, black leather wallet and credit cards.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said one of the men chased the attackers as they ran towards Mayoral Drive.

The attackers were last seen going into a block of apartments on Greys Ave, possibly making their escape along the roofs of several buildings.

Police were yesterday still hunting for the robbers, who they described as being in their late teens or early 20s.

Ms Hegarty said one of the victims received serious - but not life-threatening - head injuries, including cuts and fractures around an eye. The second victim, whose bag was stolen, received bruising around his head and upper arm.

One of the victims is believed to be from Germany but it is not known if he was visiting or living in New Zealand.