A man is in a critical condition after a serious assault in Waltham early this morning.

A police spokeswoman said they were called to Buffon Street at 1.50 am after an assault.

“An investigation to determine exactly what happened is underway and no one has been taken into custody at this time.”

A St John Ambulance spokesman said they sent two ambulances and one rapid response vehicle to the scene.

The crews assessed two patients, one in critical condition, who was taken to Christchurch Hospital by ambulance.

Another person was treated at the scene in a minor condition.