Rotorua woman sexually assaulted after night out

Photo / File

A Rotorua woman was walking home from an evening out with friends when she was grabbed by two men and sexually assaulted in a Kuirau Park this morning, police say.

Police said the woman, who is in her 40s, was walking through the park between 2:30am and 3am when the assault took place.

It happened in an area only about 30 metres from Ranolf Street and the roundabout intersection with Arawa Street, police said.

The woman was still being interviewed by investigators.

Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith said the victim had initially described the offenders as Maori men between 20 to 30 years old.

"Stranger attacks of this nature are thankfully incredibly rare and it is important when they do occur that the whole community pulls together with the police to identify the offenders as quickly as possible."

Police would carry out regular patrols of the city centre and Kuirau Park, Mr Smith said.

He advised residents returning home late to stay as a group and keep to well-lit and populated areas.

To give information on the sexual assault, call Rotorua Police on 07 348 0099.

- Herald Online