A Wellington parking warden is seriously injured in hospital after being attacked in the street on Friday.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The officer was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured eye socket and broken nose.
He's undergone surgery and is now recovering in hospital.
Police have arrested a 39-year-old man who is to appear in court on Friday, charged with wounding with intent to injure.
Wellington City Council acting chief executive Kane Patena said he was appalled and disgusted at what he described as "an idiotic and gutless act of thuggery".
"It looks like from what's being reported that the parking officer who had issued a parking ticket in this case was about to walk away and was blindsided or sucker-punched from behind.
"So, that's what makes this particularly despicable behaviour in my view."
The council said it would conduct its own investigation into what happened and it was supporting its parking officers who were shaken by the event.
