Kayla Walker-Ratahi slashed in the face for spilling wine at a Napier bar

Attacked: Kayla Walker-Ratahi was slashed in the face with a wine glass in the Thirsty Whale pub in Napier on Saturday December, 3. Photo/Paul Taylor.

Kayla Walker-Ratahi, is still reeling after a savage wine glass attack that left her face scarred.

The 19-year-old was enjoying a night out in the Thirsty Whale pub on December 3 with her friend when she was slashed across the face and chest with a wine glass. She'd been walking across the dance floor when she bumped into someone and the person's drink spilt.

"I moved to the side but this person then smashed her wine glass on my face and chest."

"When I was in the car after the bar I looked in the mirror and my nose was like flapping that's when I was like 'whoa this is not good' but it didn't properly sink in until the next day."

The glass left deep cuts to the side of her face, chest and eyelid and she had to undergo surgery the following day. She was left with stitches all over her face.

"I felt so ugly as things were just sticking off my face. I have only just started wanting to go out and about as the thought of it scared me."

Her sister has been giving her a lot of support which Miss Walker-Ratahi said had made her feel more comfortable when out of the house.

"A lot of people do stare so it is nice having her around."

Miss Walker-Ratahi used to work at the Thirsty Whale as a bartender last year but had only seen one fight involving a glass during her time there.

"You just don't expect it to happen to you but it was good knowing the bouncers as they knew my name and made me feel a bit more comfortable. They were shocked when they saw it was me."

Miss Walker-Ratahi said the last week had been pretty hard but the healing process was going better than she expected.

"I got my stitches out so have just been taking lots of antibiotics and painkillers to help with the pain. It has been hard staying on top of my medication, as I have to take them multiple times a day and at the right time."

This past week she has been resting up with her family before she heads back to Gisborne to start work again.

"It has been nice catching up with family but it is a bit boring as I can't do a lot so just want to start working again."

The 19-year-old works at the port so must to wait for the gashes to heal before she can get back on deck.

"The risk of dust and other bacteria getting in to my gashes is not worth it," she said.

The teenager said she never experienced anything like it before and hoped others wouldn't have to go through her pain.

"I am a lover, I don't get myself into fights or trouble like that. I just don't want others to be left feeling ugly like I have been."

A 25-year-old woman appeared in the Napier District Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

She entered no plea and was remanded on bail until next month.