KEY POINTS:
Hastings police are appealing to the public for information following an early morning assault.
A 42-year-old female was walking through St Leonards Park about 4.30am yesterday when she was attacked and pinned to the ground.
The woman fought off her attacker and escaped, Detective Constable Vanessa Jones said.
The attacker was described as a slender male with shoulder length hair, she said.
"Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area at the time and seen anything or have any other information on this assault."
Ms Jones said police were also looking for a man and woman who shared a taxi with the victim from the CBD to Southampton Street just prior to the assault.
- NZPA