Woman's ear bitten off during fight

A Rotorua woman had about half of an ear bitten off in a central city fight last night.

Details were sketchy and police hoped to speak to the woman today, to find out exactly what happened, said Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy, of Rotorua police.

The woman, 23, was drinking with friends but became separated from them. About 1.30am on Haupapa St she got into a fight with a group of about three people.

She was punched and kicked and a "sizeable portion", probably more than half of her right ear, was bitten off, Mr Murphy said.

She was taken to Rotorua Hospital, along with the detached piece of ear, but it was not known if it was able to be reattached.

Rotorua Hospital was not immediately available for comment.

- NZPA