A man wielding an axe entered three Chinese restaurants on Monday night in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, sending four people to the hospital, authorities and local media reported.

One victim was discharged, and three remain in stable condition, North Shore and Auckland hospital spokespeople said on Tuesday.

Local media reported that the man went into three Chinese restaurants - Zhangliang Malatang, Yues Dumpling Kitchen and Maya Hotpot - and started randomly attacking people with an axe around 9pm on Monday night.

A witness told local news organisation Radio New Zealand that she was eating at Maya Hotpot with a friend when a man approached her friend with an axe.

She said everyone in the restaurant then stood up, and someone shouted, “What are you going do? Why are you doing it?” before he hit her friend again.

New Zealand Police said they had arrested a 24-year-old man, who was due to appear in court on Tuesday on a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Further charges are expected, police said.

Police did not give a motive for the attack.

- Reuters