Two arrested after early-morning brawl

Two men have been arrested after a man was attacked by a group of people outside a Palmerston North bar early on Sunday morning, police said today.

Detective Sergeant Brett Calkin said the attack, which allegedly involved a bottle and a hammer, happened about 2.20am after the man had been involved in an altercation inside the bar.

He was taken to Palmerston North Hospital with multiple head injuries and was treated and later discharged.

"This was a very serious assault and the victim is lucky he wasn't more seriously injured or even killed," Mr Calkin said.

Two men, aged 19 and 21, have been arrested and will appear in Palmerston North District Court today.

- NZPA