Auckland police are seeking two men after a sexually motivated assault in Western Springs on Tuesday night.
The victim, a woman in her late twenties, was with friends in the area at around 7:40pm.
Police say she split off from them to go for run, and at around 8.20-8.30pm she ran past the zoo, where three young men were standing by the path.
One of them allegedly grabbed her by her clothing and another began pushing her.
They then pushed her towards a creek but she managed to fight back, break free and run away.
Two of the men then ran away. The third man had disappeared sometime during the struggle.
Detective Senior Sergeant Glenn Baldwin says police "really need to speak to the third young man who witnessed the initial assault before the victim was pushed towards the creek."
He believes this was a sexually motivated attack.
Police have released descriptions of the two offenders and the male witness:
All three are male Caucasians aged 16 to 17 years old.
The first man had dark hair, was wearing long beige-coloured chinos, jandals and a hoodie.
The second offender was wearing beige shorts, jandals and a hoodie.
Police say the witness was wearing denim shorts and a black or dark-coloured t-shirt.
Detectives have been out in the area gathering and reviewing CCTV footage, but would like to hear from anyone who was in the park last night or who may have seen the group of young men.
Officers will be at the park around 8:30pm on Wednesday, looking to speak to regular park users who may have seen something.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Auckland City Police Crime Squad on 09 302 6557 or anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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