Featherston assault victim identified

Part of the southern end of Featherston remains cordoned off tonight as police continue their investigation into what's believed to be a vicious assault on a local man.

The victim, who is in a serious but stable condition in Wellington Hospital, was identified this afternoon as a 36-year-old Featherston man. His name has not been released.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell said police are making good progress in their investigation but the southern part of Fitzherbert and Fox Streets will stay cordoned off until tomorrow. Traffic detours are in place but this is not causing a problem.

"The victim has some significant head and body injuries from what we believe to be a callous attack," Detective Senior Sergeant Borrell said. "It's encouraging to know that his injuries are however no longer considered life threatening."

About 20 police staff from the Wairarapa and Wellington are working on the case. Detectives say they're getting great help from members of the public and this, along with police inquiries, helped establish the man's identity.

The man was found lying near bushes in a park at the southern end of town at 7am today by a passing bus driver. He was admitted to Masterton Hospital and then transferred to Wellington.

Detective Senior Sergeant Borrell said the man was seen between 1am and 1.30am leaving a house in the town. What happened to him from then until he was found at 7am remains unclear, although police believe he was assaulted.

"We're appealing for anyone who witnessed the attack or who has information about it, to contact the inquiry team at Featherston Police Station," Detective Senior Sergeant Borrell said.