UPDATED - 10.55am: A Whitianga man who was violently assaulted while walking home overnight would have been celebrating his first Father's Day at home this Sunday.

But instead of sharing the special day with his wife and 11-month-old daughter, the man is now in a serious condition and fighting for his life in Auckland Hospital.

A Whitianga man is in Auckland Hospital in a serious condition after he was violently assaulted while walking at home sometime before 2am this morning. Photo: File

A police investigation is now underway and an area around Cook Dr, where the man was discovered shortly after 2am this morning, remains cordoned off.

The family, who SunLive has chosen not to name, had only moved to Whitianga recently.

Posting to a Whitianga Facebook group, his wife says prior to the assault her husband had been celebrating the purchase a local business on Thursday evening. He was walking home alone when the assault took place.

'We were so excited to move here and felt so utterly welcomed,” she writes. 'Last night when my husband went to return home by himself he was set upon and beaten so badly that he has been flown to Auckland hospital in a serious condition.

'I am now driving up to Auckland with our 11 month old daughter to see him. Terrified of what I will find when I get there.”

She is devastated by the assault and describes her husband as 'the nicest most gentle guy you would ever meet”.

'To whom ever did this I have no words, only sorrow. If you know anything please come forward so that there may be justice.”

Once news of the assault came to light there was an outpouring of shock and condemnation from the Whitianga community, and offers of support have come flooding in for the family.

A Givealittle fundraising page was created this morning, and at the time of writing, $991 has already been donated to help the family.

Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Pitkethley says at around the same time of the 2am assault, a 111 call was made advising police that three to four people were seen chasing a man south on Cook Dr towards Mercury Bay School.

He says the public can play a key part in assisting Police in establishing what occurred and is appealing for any information.

Anyone with any information on this attack is asked to contact Whitianga Police on 07-866-4000.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers 0800-555-111 line.

Police have cordoned off a section of Cook Dr, between Campbell and Dundas Streets, while they investigate the assault of a Whitianga man overnight. Image: Google Maps

EARLIER - 8.17am

An area of Whitianga remains cordoned off following an overnight assault that left a man fighting for his life.

Detective Senior Sergeant Graham Pitkethley says an investigation is underway following the discovery of an injured man in a ditch on Cook Dr, shortly after 2am.

'A 111 call was made to North Communications about this time advising three to four people chasing a male south on Cook Dr towards Mercury Bay School.

'The man was conscious at the time he was found, however his condition deteriorated and he was flown to Auckland Hospital in a critical condition. He is currently described as being in a serious but stable condition.”

Graham says because of the seriousness of the incident, a cordon was established and placed under guard overnight.

'We will need to establish what has occurred and this will require a thorough scene examination.

'Because of this an area of Cook Dr, between Campbell and Dundas Streets is currently cordoned off and likely to remain so for some time. This will require commuters, particularly secondary school students, to factor delays into their planning of how they get to school or work this morning.”

He says the public can play a key part in assisting Police in establishing what occurred.

'Anyone with any information on this attack is asked to contact Whitianga Police on 07 866 4000.”

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line."