A 16-year-old school boy lost three teeth and sustained damage to two others after being attacked by a woman with a steel rod on an Auckland bus. The racially motivated assault occurred around 9 am on Friday.
The victim, who preferred to remain anonymous, was on his way to Panmure when the incident took place just past Pakuranga Plaza. The woman began hurling racial slurs at the Chinese-New Zealand boy before launching the unprovoked attack.
"I was listening to music and scrolling on my phone when it happened. She just stood up and hit me," he told the Herald.
Having lived in New Zealand for seven years, the schoolboy said this was his first experience with such an attack. He suffered significant dental injuries and will need time for the wounds to heal before any repairs can be made.
Feeling embarrassed about possibly having to wear fake teeth until he turns 18, the boy also expressed concerns for his safety. Despite the bus being occupied by over ten people, only a 75-year-old man intervened to help.
The woman, described as being in her 40s, with a large build and dressed in all black, exited the bus at the Williams Ave stop in Pakuranga. Passengers shouted at the driver not to open the door, but he did, allowing her to escape.
Police are investigating the incident, which took place on a bus traveling from Howick to Auckland City. A spokesperson confirmed that the victim suffered serious injuries and that the attacker fled before police arrived.
Hato Hone St John attended to the victim and arranged for dental care. Data from Auckland Transport reveals that attacks on bus drivers have more than doubled in the past two years, with an increase in violent incidents reported last year compared to 2022.
Witnesses are urged to contact police on 105, quoting file number 240628/8342, or anonymously via Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
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