Nearby schools were placed into a precautionary lockdown.
“Cordons were put in place while our staff carried out inquiries in the area to locate this male,” Gillespie said.
The cordons have now been lifted, and the schools were taken out of lockdown this afternoon.
Auckland metro area shift commander Inspector Kerry Watson said the victim “has since gone to hospital. We believe that he may be all right, but we’re looking for a person that we believe may have inflicted these injuries.
“We know that this person ran off immediately after the incident and he has disappeared on Settlement Rd near the intersection with Laurie Rd.
“We have concerns for the behaviour of this male. As a result of that, we’ve flooded the area with staff and there will be a big presence of staff in this area until school finishes today and when the school kids head home.”
Police were confident that children would be safe to head home after school with the large presence.
He said the suspect, who was of a “reasonably young age”, appeared to be dressed in black with a long-sleeved hoodie. He might also have had a light-coloured backpack.
He could not yet say what the motivation was for the alleged attack.
A police photographer at the scene of an attack on Settlement Rd, Papakura. Photo / Dean Purcell
The incident was “completely unrelated” to the school.
“We’d ask that anyone who thinks they may know the identity of this offender or may have information that could lead us to the identity, to phone us as soon as possible.”
The alleged attack was not on school grounds, and the lockdowns were precautionary while police conducted inquiries.
“An increased police presence will remain in the area while we work to locate the person responsible.”
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an “assault” in Papakura at 11.38am today.
One ambulance and one operations manager attended, and a patient was taken to Middlemore Hospital.
Police investigate on Settlement Rd after a person was seriously injured in an attack. Photo / Dean Purcell
A worker nearby said police were swarming Settlement Rd near Papakura High School and Intermediate School.
A security guard was stationed at the gate of Papakura High this afternoon.
Social media users reported seeing the police helicopter over the schools’ neighbouring sites, as well as ambulances and police cars on Settlement Rd.
Students were playing in the grounds of Papakura High School after the cordons lifted. A police officer was seen kicking a ball around with some of the students.
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