Police have arrested a man in the South Auckland suburb of Mangere after a woman in Hamilton was attacked with a sword.
The 47-year-old faces a number of charges including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and breaching a protection order.
Today a heavily armed police officer guarded the house where a 50-year-old woman was attacked last night.
It wasn't a hammer the attacker armed himself with, but allegedly a sword, an axe and possibly even a gun.
"I understand it is some ceremonial sword," says Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson.
Neighbours told 3 News the woman had serious slash wounds to her face and arm. Her two teenage children were home at the time.
Someone stepped in to stop the attack, but police won't say who.
"[The victim] has some injuries to her head and her arms, as the result of the sword attack she will require surgical treatment," says Snr Sgt Patterson.
Members of the public spotted the 47-year-old in Mangere this evening, and were able to detain him until police arrived to arrest him.
Women's Refuge says often vicious attacks to the face are intended as a warning.
"Sometimes with the partners it is an indicator to say 'If I can't have you nobody can', it is a message to you and everybody else," says Ruahine Albert, of Waikato Women's Refuge.
The injured woman had a protection order against the man, but police refuse to say exactly why and declined to provide any details of his history.
The man will appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.
3 News
