Woman and child seriously assaulted during Northland break in, man arrested

A woman and her child were injured in an assaulted during an alleged break in at a Northland property.

Police have arrested a 38-year-old man following what they called a "violent aggravated robbery" in Kaikohe at 7am on Thursday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Aaron Crawford said police were called to a report of a man allegedly carrying a gun, breaking into a property on Williams St.

A woman and her child were inside, Crawford said, and the pair were "seriously assaulted" before a man fled in a car he stole from the home.

The police Eagle helicopter found the car a short time later in Ōmāpere.

Crawford said the man police believed was involved attempted to run and allegedly tried to steal another car by assaulting another person.

Police intervened, Crawford said, and took him into custody.

A gun and items police believed belonged to the home of the woman and child had since been found, he said.

The woman was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition, Crawford said, and the child had minor injuries.

"Both are understandably shaken," he said.

The 38-year-old man was in custody and Crawford said charges were pending.

Police wanted to hear from anyone who saw what happened on Williams St or any sightings of a yellow Suzuki Swift travelling west on SH12 towards Whirinaki, Kouto Loop Rd and then Opononi and Ōmāpere.

They also wanted to hear from anyone who saw a man acting "suspiciously" in the Ōmāpere area on Thursday morning.

Information could be provided online at 105.police.govt.nz, or by calling 105 and using the reference number 260820/5258.

People could also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.