A Whitiora property has been cordoned off by police after a woman was seriously assaulted overnight.
The woman went to investigate a noise coming from the third floor of her Edgecumbe St property at about 11:30pm last night when she was confronted by her attacker, police say.
The man, who was wearing a balaclava to conceal his face, struck the woman's head using a 1.2m metal pole with a hook on the end of it.
After attempting to escape, the man chased her down the stairs and outside, where he struck her with the pole again.
The attacker fled the scene when a neighbour came to her aid, police say. Another neighbour said they heard the woman screaming.
The woman is now in Waikato Hospital, and requires surgery for her injuries.
Police are currently investigating the incident and are believed to be looking for forensic evidence.
They are also talking to neighbours, and are appealing for anyone with information on the incident to come forward.
Newshub.
