A 17-year-old Manurewa man has been arrested and charged in relation to the attack on 43-year-old Lucy Knight yesterday afternoon.

He was arrested early this afternoon and has been charged with aggravated wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to rob.

He will stay in Police custody overnight and appear in the North Shore District Court tomorrow morning.

Detective Senior Sergeant Stan Brown says the swift arrest is the direct result of public assistance.

"It's thanks to the media and the public that we have caught this offender so quickly.

"Whilst we are now limited to what we can say because we have charged someone, what we can say is that the public response to this was outstanding, and its down to each and every person that looked at and shared the pictures we put out, that we have caught this man and we can't thank you all enough.

"Fortunately this type of incident is not common, and the overwhelming response we've had has shown that the public have zero tolerance and for this type of crime.

"This should send a clear message to those in the criminal element."

The investigation is ongoing and North Shore Police still want to hear from anyone who was in the area yesterday, and who may have seen a white station-wagon with tinted windows.

Source: New Zealand Police.