West Auckland man seriously beaten with plank of wood

Police have released footage of the moment a 20-year-old man was brutally assaulted with a piece of wood in west Auckland.

Footage shows two men, both holding planks of wood, advancing at another pair of two also armed with wood, in Glen Eden at 11pm on Tuesday evening.

Eventually one man is knocked to the ground. One of the offenders is seen raising the wood above his head to hit him, when the video cuts off.

Police say the man was then struck in the face, rendering him unconscious and with serious facial injuries, in "what easily could have resulted in a fatal blow".

The second victim was also hit in the arms and legs with pieces of wood.

"This is a particularly vicious and cowardly attack on a male who continues to be struck in the head with a plank of wood, despite lying unconscious on the ground," Detective Sergeant Goldsmith says.

"We know some people may find this footage hard to watch, but the victim and his family have given their support for police to release the footage with the aim of identifying those involved."

The main attacker is described as a six-foot Polynesian with a large afro and a large build.

The second man is either Maori or Polynesian, around 1.75m tall and of muscular build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Goldsmith on (09) 839 0600.

Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Newshub.