A man is in a coma with head injuries after he was assaulted in Christchurch last night.
Members of the public found a man with a serious head injury outside the Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club about 10pm.
He was taken to hospital where he had surgery and is in an induced coma in a critical but stable condition.
The Sumner Surf Lifesaving Club carpark is cordoned off and police will examine the scene this morning.
Anyone with information on who may have been responsible is being asked by police to come forward by calling Christchurch Central Police Station on (03) 363 7400, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111