Police are investigating a home invasion in Tinopai after five masked and armed offenders entered a house and assaulted the occupants.
The incident happened on Saturday evening at about 5.30pm while three adults and two teenage boys were in the house.
The offenders all wore balaclavas and one carried a firearm, while the others were carrying other weapons.
According to police, the occupants were assaulted before one of them escaped and ran to a neighbour for help.
The intruders left the house and drove north on Tinopai Road in a car believed to be a blue Toyota Corolla.
The occupants were taken to Whangarei Hospital with minor and moderate injuries, and police are carrying out inquiries at the house.
Members of the public with information relating to suspicious activity in the area at the time of the incident are asked to contact Dargaville Police on 09 430 3400 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.