A man targeted in a meat cleaver attack at Ngaruawahia has been moved out of intensive care as he recovers from serious injuries.
The man was in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital last week after suffering neck and shoulder wounds in the attack on Thursday evening.
Two other men were also attacked and taken to hospital but one was discharged soon after.
The two men who remained in hospital, aged 44 and 40, were both in a stable condition in general wards, a Waikato District Health Board spokeswoman said.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson said three men drinking in a grassed area behind a fence between two buildings in Ngaruawahia's retail on Thursday were the subject of a "violent, malicious attack".
Warren Lloyd Edwards, 39, of Ngaruawahia has been charged with attacking the three men.
Edwards appeared in the Hamilton District Court on Friday on three charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Edwards was remanded in custody to reappear on November 1 after a psychiatric report has been completed.