Police in Masterton are on the hunt for a group of people who bashed a teenage boy as he walked home.
The 14-year-old victim was assaulted on Friday night on Church St about 9.30pm.
Police said he was knocked to the ground and bashed by a group of at least three people.
Detective Sergeant Mike Smith said: "We understand a member of the public may have seen the assault and yelled out at the attackers, who have then run from the scene.''