The father of a youth bottled on the way home from school is "disgusted" by the unprovoked attack.
Police are hunting for the occupants of the car. They threw the bottle so hard at the boy it knocked him to the ground.
The 15-year-old youth was walking along Te Mata Rd in Havelock North at just before 8pm on Monday near the Havelock North domain when the car drove past him. A back seat passenger yelled out to him then threw a beer bottle at him.
Detective Glen Restieaux said the bottle was thrown with such force that it knocked the youth to the ground, leaving him with cuts, abrasions and bruising to his face. The boy sought help from a member of the public for his injuries.
His father is furious about the incident.
"To attack someone like that while they are innocently walking home is ridiculous," Richard Jarmon said.
Mr Jarmon said his son suffered a slight concussion and scratches as a result of the attack.
"He is very bemused and angry about why someone would do this."
He said the police don't have much to go on at this stage and they were hoping for an independent source to come forward. Police want to identify the red vehicle that was involved and the car's three occupants.
The driver is described as a Maori of medium build, the front seat passenger is described as male Caucasian and the rear seat passenger is described as a skinny male Maori in his 20s.
Anyone with information about the incident should contact Mr Restieaux at HB Police on 06 8310700 or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.