Police are investigating three separate assaults in central Auckland they believe are linked.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
A week ago on 3 June shortly after midnight, four men attacked a man in King George Avenue, Epsom, struck him with a hockey stick and stole his phone.
They fled in a silver Subaru Legacy station wagon.
Police said later that day - about 1.20pm - a second victim was approached by three men, one of whom was carrying a hockey stick, in Haverstock Road, Sandringham and assaulted by two of them.
They said a third victim was approached and punched many times by a group of men in Locarno Avenue, Sandringham, about the same time before the attackers decamped in a silver vehicle.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Franich said police believed the incidents were connected.
He said race was not the motivation behind the incidents.
"We believe the victims were targeted at random and due to the fact that they were isolated and on their own.
"We want to hear from anyone who witnessed any of these incidents or saw a silver Subaru Station wagon in the Sandringham or Epsom areas on June 3rd and came into any contact with its occupants," he said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.