Police are calling the person who knocked an officer unconscious from behind in South Auckland a "coward".
They want to speak to anyone who can help identify who attacked the policewoman, near the fan zone set up in Otahuhu for the Tonga-Lebanon rugby league match on Saturday.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Counties Manukau Area Commander Inspector Naila Hassan said the policewoman was part of a group dealing with about 15 men who were goading other fans.
She said the five officers dealing with the sitiuation had bottles thrown at them.
"One of our officers fell to the ground with a head injury and an arm injury."
Ms Hassan said the officers not not see the person who attacked the officer, they only saw the officer hit the ground.
She said they will be reviewing CCTV footage but are asking for "the thug, the coward" who hit the policewoman to come forward.
Ms Hassan said the policewoman is recovering at home and should return to work later this week.
An area was set up along Great South Road for fans to watch the match being played in Christchurch, as part of the Rugby League World Cup.
The zone was an attempt to stop a repeat of the mass disorder from fans last week where 53 people were arrested for disorderly behaviour.
On Saturday night, 11 people were arrested in the Ōtāhuhu town centre following the rugby league game between Tonga and Lebanon.
Police said 10 arrests were for disorderly behaviour and one for carrying a weapon.
They said the incidents did not occur in the fan-zone, which was set up along Great South Road, but in side streets close by.
If you were there or have any information contact your local police station or the Counties Manukau Police Station on 09 261 1300.
