Police hunt Hawke's Bay hit and run driver

Police are trying to determine whether a woman run down by a vehicle in a Hawke's Bay pub carpark was deliberately targeted.

The incident happened at about 11.30pm on Saturday at the Marumaru Tavern, north of Wairoa.

Wairoa police Senior Sergeant Tony Bates said it was believed a utility vehicle did a wheelie in the carpark, before running over the woman, who was standing by a fence near the garden bar.

The injured woman was taken to Hawke's Bay Hospital where her condition was today described as "improving".

The vehicle was still at the scene when police arrived, but the driver had fled.

Although there were witnesses to the incident, many had proved reluctant to come forward, Mr Bates said.

He urged anyone with information on the incident to contact police.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY