People were woken to loud screaming as an assault took place on The Strand in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Cordons are still in place between the water fountain and railway bridge on The Strand in Tauranga following an assault at around 1.45am this morning.

A Police photographer and Police Forensics have been conducting a scene examination.

The victim, a man, received critical injuries and remains in Tauranga Hospital in a critical condition.

A father and son were sleeping nearby when they were woken to the loud noise.

'My boy sleeps in the car, and I sleep on the ground as there's not enough room for me in the car. I put my blanket out and laid down. And then I woke up to this commotion. There was crying and screaming.

'My son could see something was happening and said there were police there. It was starting to get cordoned off.”

Police encourage anyone who has any information on the incident or who was in the area at time to contact Police on 105.

Information can also be passed on anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.