A man assaulted and left in a ditch in Whitianga is improving 'but still has a long road to full recovery”.

Alistair McEwen was taken to Auckland Hospital in critical condition on Friday around 2am after he was beaten and left for dead on the roadside.

Alistair McEwen and his family had recently moved to Whitianga. Photo: Give-a-Little.

His wife says he was returning home alone when he was set upon and beaten.

Posting to a Whitianga Facebook group, she says prior to the assault, her husband had been celebrating the purchase of Blue Water Marine Services 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. 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.”

The marine company posted an update on Alistair's condition on Facebook today.

'He is improving but it will be a long road to full recovery,” the post reads.

'We just wanted to say that the lovely team at Blue Water Marine Services will continue to maintain their high standards of work. All our current projects and future projects will be progressing on managed by their expert hands till Alistair is back on his feet. The Pinnacle 660SD will still be at the September on the water boat show - ready to take sea trials.”

Since news of the assault was made public, a Give-a-Little page was set up to help the family.

So far 218 donations have been made totalling $12,060.

Police are continuing to investigate the assault and are appealing for any information that may shed some light on what happened.

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.

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

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.