Witnesses of a violent assault that took place in Whanganui on Thursday evening say a man with a knife was seen at the scene.
A New Zealand Police spokesperson said an assault took place in the Duncan St and Moana St area about 5pm.
One person was taken to Wellington Hospital and is in a critical condition.
One witness told the Chronicle a man with a knife was seen outside a building near the scene of the attack.
The witness said the man was knocking on the windows of the building, appearing to threaten people inside Pizza Kingdom.