An Auckland man charged with stabbing a police officer in the face will be detained while his "serious mental illness and disability" are treated.

The man, whose name is suppressed, faced three charges of assault with a weapon and a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm over last year's incident.

The man was accused of stabbing a constable in the face a blow understood to have been through the constable's nose and threatening other officers with a knife.

After a hearing in the Auckland District Court, Judge David Harvey ruled the man would be detained as a "special patient".

In a note about the ruling, released to APNZ, the judge says: "The defendant suffers from serious mental illness and disability.

"His rehabilitation and recovery to the point where he may be released into the community will take a considerable period of time."

Judge Harvey decided to suppress the man's name because of the "sensitive nature of his mental illness, issues arising from patient confidentiality and, most importantly, his future rehabilitation and adjustment".

The man will be detained in a hospital for treatment.

- APNZ