Police are hunting a man who attacked a motorist and stole his car after claiming he was on the run from the law.
The victim was waiting for a friend in the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven when he was approached by the man, who said he was fleeing police.
The motorist gave the man a ride, in part due to fear, Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong told The New Zealand Herald.
However, after driving a short while he was told to stop, was beaten and then made to get out of the car which was driven off by the attacker.
The victim was taken to North Shore Hospital with facial injuries.
Mr Armstrong said it was possible the attacker was connected to a nearby domestic violence incident which police were attending.
He said anyone with information about the whereabouts of the attacker or the car -- a purple Ford Falcon -- should call North Shore police.
