Tourist suffers fractured skull in unprovoked attack

A tourist was left unconcious with serious head injuries after the attack.

A tourist has a fractured skull and other head injuries after being attacked in Taupo on his way home from the central business area early yesterday morning.

Senior Sergeant Tony Jeurissen said a local man was also attacked.

Both attacks were unprovoked and occurred on Tamamutu St in Taupo about 4am, he said.

A 32-year-old Canadian tourist was attacked outside Silver Fern Backpackers on his way home from the town centre.

The attacker knocked the tourist unconscious and stole his belongings.

Soon afterward a 20-year-old local man, also walking home from the central area, was assaulted.

During the assault the man's shoes were stolen.

A 17-year-old Auckland man today appeared in Taupo District Court charged with aggravated robbery and robbery.

Police would like to hear from anyone with information about the attacks.

- NZPA