An unprovoked attack on a man overnight leaving him with serious stab wounds has shaken the small seaside town of Waihi Beach.

The 64-year-old man and his wife were staying in a caravan in front of a friend's house when the attack occurred.

Eastern Waikato Area Commander Dana McDonald said the man and his wife heard a disturbance outside their caravan about 1am, and when they stepped outside to investigate, the man was stabbed in the head and neck. 

"The male received quite a serious injury to his head," he said. 

 

The victim was in Waikato Hospital.

 

McDonald said that while the man was not a local, the incident would be a "real shock" to the normally peaceful community. 

Police were treating the matter seriously and are seeking information from anyone in the area at the time. 

"Our thoughts are with the family and we're hoping he makes a recovery, but we're treating it as quite a serious crime," he said.

Waihi Beach resident Bill Ward said he was told about the incident around 5.30am by his neighbour who helped treat the victim until emergency services arrived.

Ward said the attack was "a travesty" and was disappointed it was happening in his own community.

"I think it's really sad for our community," he said. "It saddens me that our society has changed dramatically since I was a child."

"it seems to me that a knife or some form of violent material can be carried by anyone."

Another resident, Clodagh Kendal said the attack had shaken her and she would now think twice before opening her front door. 

- © Fairfax NZ News