The public is being called upon to help locate an offender who allegedly assaulted an elderly man after breaking into his home in Wairoa on Wednesday.
Det Sgt Sam Park said the 79-year-old man was in bed when the offender entered his home on Brian Ave just before 2:30am.
After breaking in, the offender allegedly assaulted the man before stealing a mobile and landline phone.
The victim is in hospital with serious injuries.
An appeal for information has now been launched to help locate the offender.
"The offender has been described as a male, about 170cm tall, of a slim build, with a scarf wrapped around his face," Park said.
Anyone with information was urged to contact police on 105, quoting file number 230426/7511.
"This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and we would like to reassure the public that we are doing all we can to identify and locate this individual to hold them to account for their actions," Park added.
