Surely attempted murder is the charge?

NZPA report:

A police officer thought it was all over as he lay curled up in a ball by the side of the road while being slashed by a machete in a frenzied attack last night.

Senior Constable Bruce Mellor remains in a serious but stable condition after undergoing surgery in Palmerston North Hospital late last night to treat lacerations to his face, head and body after the brutal attack north of Taihape around 6.20am.

Mr Mellor stopped a red Mazda 323 hatchback after police received reports about the northbound car driving erratically.

It appeared Mr Mellor got the driver’s details and was returning to his car to do a radio check when he was attacked from behind with a machete, Detective Inspector Chris Bensemann said.

Police Minister Judith Collins, who visited Mr Mellor in Palmerston North Hospital this morning, told NZPA she had never seen such horrific injuries.

“It was a frenzied attack and he has sickening injuries, I’ve never seen so many staples in one place, it’s unbelievable.”

Two youths, aged 14 and 18, have been charged with assault, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and attempted arson and police were considering laying further charges.

Those had better be holding charges. Hacking at someone with a machete is attempted murder in my book, and it seems a miracle Senior Constable Mellor survived.