A woman accused of assaulting and injuring a 16-year-old boy on a bus in Auckland is appearing in Manukau District Court today

Police allege it was a hate-motivated crime and have charged the 39-year-old with wounding with intent.

It comes after the schoolboy was reportedly hit with a metal rod, while on a bus from Howick into the city, along Pakuranga Road late last month.

He was left with serious facial injuries - and lost three teeth.