A 34-year-old man who was assaulted at the side of a road before being struck by a taxi was lucky not to have been killed, say Napier police.
The man, who suffered extensive injuries, was admitted to Hawke's Bay hospital early on Sunday in a critical condition.
Detective Emmet Lynch says the man is progressing well and is scheduled to have more surgery on Thursday.
Mr Lynch says interviews with the man and a witnesses have established that the attacker wore a distinctive belt buckle with flashing lights that formed a group of letters.