A 43-year-old man is in a critical condition in Lower Hutt Hospital tonight after he was attacked in the vicinity of the Wainuiomata Firestone Direct and Caltex stores this afternoon.
At around 3.15pm, police were called by ambulance staff to the scene of the attack off The Strand in Wainuiomata.
The victim had been attacked with a garden spade and has life-threatening head and eye injuries.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy of the Lower Hutt Police says it appears the victim was working on his car when he was attacked.
"Early indications are that the two men knew each other," says Detective Senior Sergeant Levy.
The offender, also a 43-year-old male, handed himself into the Wainuiomata Police Station this afternoon.
Police have recovered the spade allegedly used in the attack.
A 43-year-old man will appear in the Lower Hutt District Court tomorrow charged with assault. Further charges are possible.
Police are speaking to a number of witnesses, but would like to hear from anyone who saw the attack or who knows anything about the incident.
People are asked to contact the Lower Hutt Police on Tel: (04) 560 2600
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For more information contact Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy, Tel: 560 2600.