Tattooed woman dumped in gutter was bound and gagged

The woman has a tattoo of a cross with a rose, and has the words 'mum' and 'dad'. Photo / NZ Police

A tattooed woman who was found bound and gagged in a gutter north of Auckland has been identified.

She remains in a critical condition at Auckland Hospital, with family by her side.

She was found on a road in Dome Valley yesterday morning with serious head injuries.

A source has told the Herald the woman was "bound and gagged" when she was found unconscious by a member of the public.

Police had appealed to the public to help identify the woman, who had a distinctive rose tattoo on her left calf with the words 'Mum' and 'Dad' written on it.

The woman has a tattoo of a cross with a rose, and has the words 'mum' and 'dad'. Photo / Supplied

She is a European woman with short dark hair.

Inspector Mark Fergus said yesterday police were keeping an open mind as to where and what caused her injuries, but foul play was expected.

He said police were focusing on identifying the woman, and as she is unable to speak to police, witnesses will be crucial in solving the case.