Police hunting Auckland rapist

Police are searching for a man who raped a woman in a downtown Auckland park in the early hours of Sunday.

The 30-year-old woman was walking alone alongside Victoria Park on Victoria St towards the Halsey St intersection when she was attacked, police said.

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said the woman was attacked from behind and dragged to an area of bush in Victoria Park, where she was raped.

She said the offender also took some money from the woman before leaving the scene on foot.

The woman, who then flagged down a taxi on Victoria St West, later described her attacker as a blond Caucasian in his 30s, about 175cm tall, of muscular build and wearing blue jeans and a dark top or jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Auckland City Police adult sexual assault team.

- NZPA