A man wielding an axe has entered three Chinese restaurants in New Zealand’s largest city Auckland, injuring four people, authorities and local media report.

The injured were taken to hospital for treatment.

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

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

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

She said everyone in the restaurant stood up and someone shouted “What are you going to 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.

– AAP