KEY POINTS:
A South Korean student stuck by a car in central Auckland five days ago was today described as no longer being in a critical condition.
Taijin Choi, 24, had improved and was in a stable condition, an Auckland Hospital spokeswoman said without giving further details.
Mr Choi was injured in a hit-and-run incident when crossing the intersection of Queen St and Mayoral Dr about 12.30am on Tuesday.
Police said a man seen drinking at an inner-city bar had become the focus of their inquiry.
The man, who had short hair and was about 1.8m tall, was wearing a black t-shirt with a white logo or writing on it, and was in Cafe 223, a bar on Symonds St, about midnight.
He was seen running through the downtown area, including Britomart Pl, Galway St, Commerce St and Tyler St, minutes after Mr Choi was run down.
Mr Choi was about to fly back to South Korea after attending a six-week English language course at Otago University when he was struck.
His father arrived in Auckland on Friday to be with him.
- NZPA
