Palmerston North pub stabbing

The stabbing of a teenager outside a Palmerston North pub was the sign of a disturbing escalation in violence, police say.

The 17-year-old, who had surgery yesterday for knife wounds to his lower back and arm, was found injured after police were called to a disturbance outside the Fat Ladies Arms in the city at 3.15am on Sunday.

The victim's name was not available.