Family have gathered at the bedside of a woman who was critically injured in her Feilding home.
A police investigation is underway after the 49-year-old woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with critical, unexplained injuries.
She was taken to hospital by ambulance about 8.30pm yesterday.
Manawatu CIB head Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan said the police priority was determining how the woman suffered the injuries.
"At this stage I am not prepared to comment on the extent of her injuries except to say they are critical and unexplained.
"We will also be speaking to the woman's partner, family, and friends over the coming days to piece together her movements prior to her being admitted to hospital."
The woman's home was being examined.
This afternoon police said the woman was still in a critical condition and family had gathered at her bedside.
Neighbours at the block of flats where the woman lived were unaware that anything untoward had occurred.
Dearn Walker who lives close to the property, said she had heard no signs of distress and realised something happened only when she saw a fire engine outside.
"We didn't see an ambulance or hear any sirens. All of a sudden this fire engine was parked out the front and there seemed to be a lot of people hanging around."
Ms Walker said she had not met the occupants of the flat and had no idea why police were at the scene.
The landlord of the property said she was unaware an incident had taken place.