Rape victim 'fought for life'

Police have described how a teenage girl fought for her life when an intruder repeatedly stabbed and then raped her in a horrific attack on New Year's Eve day.

Police believe they would have been investigating a homicide had the girl's mother not later heard her cries for help.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sue Schwalger said the 14-year-old Vietnamese girl was stabbed in the neck 3mm from a vital carotid artery and her liver was also pierced.

Ms Schwalger said the attacker entered the Hill Park, Manukau, home to commit burglary in the early hours of December 31.

The girl was stabbed before being raped, then dragged from the house and thrown over a fence, dropping 3m to a reserve below.

She suffered 10 stab wounds and is recovering from surgery in Middlemore Hospital. "Had her mother not heard her cry she would have died," Ms Schwalger said.

The girl bit her attacker's hand during the ordeal and police believe he will be trying to conceal the injury.

"Someone will know who this person is," said Ms Schwalger.

The attacker is thought to be in his early 20s, over 1.7m tall and of medium build.

He wore dark clothing and an orange or yellow lanyard, or cord, with a number of keys attached to it.

Anyone with information can contact the freephone inquiry number on 0800-437-662.