Indian-origin teacher fighting for life after attack in New Zealand

A 25-year-old Indian-origin teacher in New Zealand is fighting for his life after being mercilessly attacked outside a McDonald's in central Auckland.

Tarun Asthana, a trainee teacher, was standing on the pavement after leaving McDonald's when he and another man spoke briefly yesterday, police said. Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Florence said Asthana was punched in the head and fell "heavily", striking his head on the pavement, local media reports said.

Florence said the alleged attacker had been in McDonald's with several other men and women and the group had left straight after the attack. Asthana remained on life support in hospital, police said.

Meanwhile, police today arrested a 27-year-old man and charged him with assaulting Asthana. Inquiries were continuing and police were seeking any information from anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the assault.

"His mother was at his side praying. The waiting room and the entire hallway was filled up with friends and family. It was packed. There was a lot of grieving, a lot of crying," reports said quoting one of Asthana's friends.