A woman fought back against a man who subjected her to an "exceedingly aggressive" assault near an Auckland nightclub, police say.
The woman was strangled and punched in the face in the assault near a nightclub on Great North Road in New Lynn by a man who led her behind buildings early on Sunday.
She suffered severe bruising to her eyes and cuts to her nose.
Police said the offender may have several marks on either side of his face and neck from the woman who scratched him as she defended herself.
A detailed description of the offender has been released.