A man is in a serious condition after he was "king hit" outside a bar in the Octagon in Dunedin overnight.
Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen, of Dunedin, said police were called to an assault outside The Social Club at 3am.
Witnesses described the man being "king hit" after a disagreement with another man.
The man was unconscious and in a serious condition, and was taken to hospital to be monitored for a head injury, he said.
The offender fled the scene in a white BMW before police arrived.
Police enquiries were continuing.