Police are seeking information about a stabbing outside the Community Probation Service (CPS) centre on Church Street, Palmerston North.
The incident occurred around 10.10am this morning when the 20-year-old victim was on a break from a rehabilitation programme for offenders at the centre.
The offender approached the victim from a parked vehicle, stabbed him and then left in the same vehicle.
The offender is described as a Maori man, in his 40s with scruffy hair, a tattoo on the left side of his neck and another over his right eye. It is not clear whether the offender was the driver or passenger of the vehicle, but witnesses report seeing a woman also in the vehicle.
The vehicle has been described as a two-tone grey Commodore.
The man's injuries are not believed to be life threatening at this stage. For investigative reasons Police are not at this stage making any comment on the number or nature of the injuries.
Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan said: "From what we have been told by witnesses there was no conversation between the two men; the offender simply got out of the car, stabbed the victim and left, so we are yet to establish a motive for the attack.
"Staff from the Probation centre were very quick to respond to the incident and carried out first-aid on the victim while they waited for the ambulance to arrive."
As well as witnesses to the incident, Police are keen to talk to anyone with information about the identity of the offender and the whereabouts of him and the vehicle. Police also want reports of any sightings of the vehicle after it left Church Street.
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Gary Milligan at Palmerston North Police on 06 351 3600. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Kim Perks on 027 234 8256.