A Whangarei student who suffered a fractured skull after being struck with an axe handle could be back home today but faces a long road to recovery.
Jay Rihia-Neumann is recovering at Auckland City Hospital after being in surgery for four hours on Tuesday afternoon.
The 16-year-old Kamo High School student was walking home with friends after school on Monday when six adults and two teenagers got out of a car on Corks Rd in Tikipunga and attacked them.
Whangarei police contacted his father Joshua Neumann shortly after the Northern Advocate spoke to him on Tuesday to inform him the case was being investigated.
No arrests were made by 3pm yesterday. Mr Neumann said Jay could be discharged today as he was recovering well.
"Our focus after he comes back home will be on his recovery and school work before he can think about sports. He may be back in school in another two to three weeks.
"The main priority is his rehabilitation and recovery and things like memory tests because doctors are saying his memory at the moment is not a 100 per cent."
Mr Neumann said the four or five students who walked back home with Jay after school on Monday were the key witnesses in police investigation.
He confirmed his family had been in touch with Jay's deputy principal Darryl Davies to discuss counselling which would be looked at when his son got back home.
"We're more worried about Jay's friends because they were traumatised by the attack and counselling would help them heaps," he said.
Mr Davies said staff and students were upset at the attack on Jay and wished him a speedy recovery.
"As a school, we've been working with police to help with the investigation. We're also in contact with police Victim Support and our school counselling to ensure the physical and emotional safety of our students."
On Tuesday, Mr Davies said the school management met Jay's friends who witnessed the attack and offered support and counselling they may need.
"The school has acted in a responsible and swift manner to ensure the well-being of not just the ones that were present when the incident happened but others who have been affected through close association with Jay."
Mr Davies said Jay was a popular student who was well-liked by staff and students.
Jay plays for the Whangaruru First XV and in the First XIII for the Northern Swords league
side.
A Facebook post from Jay's uncle has attracted more than 300 messages of support yesterday.