A New Zealand man is recovering in a north Queensland hospital after being shot with a bow and arrow as he tried to save his girlfriend from being raped in the Papua New Guinea jungle.

Matthew Scheurich, who lives in Melbourne, was shot with arrows twice in the chest, pelted with rocks, bitten and scratched as he tried to defend his girlfriend, 29-year-old French anthropology student Anais Gerard, from a sexual attack.

Matt Scheurich's attacker wanted to marry his girlfriend. Credit:stuff.co.nz

The attack occurred near Suabi, in PNG's Western Province, 15 days ago.

Mr Scheurich, 28, almost bled to death as he and his girlfriend fled from the tribesman, after Ms Gerard had refused his marriage proposal, through the thick jungle.