'Violent, malicious' cleaver attack

A man was allegedly armed with a meat cleaver. Photo / File

A Ngaruawahia man is to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after he was charged with attacking three men with a meat cleaver putting all of them in hospital - one in critical condition.

Warren Lloyd Edwards, 39, of Ngaruawahia appeared at the Hamilton District Court today with his wife and children sitting in the public gallery.

He is facing three charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Acting detective senior sergeant Ross Patterson said three men drinking in a grassed area behind a fence between two buildings in Ngaruawahia's retail area last night were the subject of a "violent, malicious attack''.

All suffered serious lacerations.

One is in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital's Intensive Care Unit with neck and shoulder wounds following surgery.

Another is in a stable but serious condition in a hospital ward while the third victim was discharged yesterday.

Mr Patterson said police were still interviewing witnesses and completing their examination of the scene where the attack took place.

Police are also completing forensic analysis of two vehicles linked to the incident and a house on Newton St, where Edwards is understood to have been arrested after the attack without incident.

Edwards was remanded in custody and is to reappear before a community magistrate on November 1 after a psychiatric report has been completed.