26 Oct 2023

Man sought after woman assaulted, house fire in central Hawke's Bay

4:31 pm on 26 October 2023
Police generic

The man handed himself in to Hastings Police Station this afternoon. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Police say a man has been arrested in relation to an assault in Waipukurau.

On Tuesday, emergency services were called to a suspicious house fire at Woburn Street, Detective Senior Sergeant Sally Patrick said in a statement.

An injured woman who lived at the house was located at a nearby property and taken to hospital, where she remains in a stable condition.

Police earlier issued an arrest warrant for a 51-year-old man who they said turned himself into Hastings Police Station on Thursday afternoon.

He will appear in the Hastings District Court on Friday, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Patrick said police may lay further charges.

"Police are continuing to provide support to the victim and her whānau at what is a very distressing time," she said.