Stabbing charge for boy, 14

14-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a 35-year-old man in Rotorua.

Police said the victim suffered wounds to the head and chest in the incident on Monday night.

He was in a serious but stable condition in Rotorua Hospital yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Garry Hawkins said the stabbing happened during an altercation between two men over a car in Roger St. The son of one of the men, who were known to each other, witnessed the fight and then became involved.

"The son ran away and got a knife."

Mr Hawkins said it was concerning that a 14-year-old appeared to have been involved in an incident that could have killed the victim.