Police say an attack on a south Auckland officer who received life-threatening injuries is as extreme as it gets.
Sergeant Simon Tate, 42, needs specialist care at Auckland Hospital after his head was stomped on as he was kicked and punched repeatedly.
Walter Tauatevalu. Photo: NZ Police
Police say a man they had been seeking in relation to the attack, Walter Tauatevalu, handed himself in on Sunday night.
He will appear in the Manukau District Court on Monday.
Detective Inspector Jim Gallagher says the officer pulled over Mr Tauatevalu about 11.30pm on Saturday in Otara after he was approached by two women concerned about Mr Tauatevalu's passenger, who he'd been fighting with earlier.
Mr Gallagher says the officer was attacked while speaking to the passenger through the car window.
Two women who saw the attack tried to stop it and stood in the attacker's way, but police say he assaulted them too before continuing to hit the officer.
Mr Gallagher says the women's intervention probably saved the officer's life.
He says the attacker then fled the area on foot.
Mr Tate's mother, Sharon Tate, says her son's injuries have made him almost unrecognisable and he is confused about where he is.
He is scheduled to have surgery on Monday and faces months of recovery.
She says Mr Tate and his partner had just returned from a six week holiday in the US and Saturday was his first night back on duty.
