A Christchurch teenager is still in hospital after being bashed in the head during a brawl between rival school groups in the city at the weekend.
Police said that a 19-year-old man had been arrested and charged with assault. He would appear in court this week and further charges were likely, said Detective Senior Sergeant Virginia Le Bas.
The assault took place outside McDonalds Restaurant in Merivale in the early hours of yesterday morning.
A large number of students from different high schools and recent school leavers who had left parties around the city and ended up congregating on Papanui Rd, Ms Le Bas said.
The victim, a young high school age male, suffered head injuries and was admitted to hospital. "He is still in hospital, where his condition is being assessed," she said.
A McDonald's spokesman said that about 20 youths were ordered off the premises after verbal exchanges between two groups from different schools.
A fight then broke out resulting in police being called.
NZPA