Police are praising the actions of three people who stepped in and stopped a man allegedly beating a woman on a busy road.
Kamo Senior Sergeant Dan Cleaver said a 20-year-old man and 21-year-old woman were arguing near a bus stop on Kamo Road when the man started allegedly assaulting the woman about 7pm last Friday.
Three members of the public, two men and one woman, stepped in to stop the violent assault.
Mr Cleaver said the 20-year-old man then turned on the three people and started punching them while continuing his assault on the female victim.
He then took off and was arrested by police a short while later.
One of the men received moderate injuries and the other two people received minor injuries.
Mr Cleaver said the bravery of the three members of the public probably saved the woman's life, as the offender's attack was very violent.
"We encourage people to take a stand against family violence and police would like to thank the three people for having the courage to intervene and stop the violence," Mr Cleaver said.
A 20-year-old man has appeared in the Whangarei District Court on several assault charges, possession of a knife and resisting police. He has been remanded in custody to appear again on March 10.