Two men have appeared in court following a serious assault in Kawerau on Friday.

At about 8.30pm on Friday, June 26 ambulance were called to Newall Street, Kawerau.

Two local men aged 48 and 44 were walking into town along Newell Street.

It is alleged that three men walking towards them on the opposite side of the road crossed over and assaulted the two men in a seemingly unprovoked attack.

At one stage the 48-year-old man suffered stab wounds before he managed to run from the area and tell associates what was happening.

He returned to the scene with associates and the altercation continued.

A 44-year-old female linked to one of the victims also suffered stab wounds.

All three victims and the offenders are known to one another.

The 44-year-old man suffered a broken hand and bruising.

The 48-year-old man suffered stab wounds to his chest and back and was kept into hospital overnight.

The 44-year-old woman suffered a serious stab wound to her arm and more superficial wounds to her back and chest.

She is currently recovering in Waikato Hospital following surgery.

Two men, aged 25 and 27 from Kawerau, were arrested on Saturday and have appeared in court today on assault charges.

They have both been remanded in custody to reappear on Wednesday.

A third man, aged 33, has been arrested this morning in Kawerau and will appear in court later today.