Good Samaritan Lucy Knight has returned home for the first time since she was seriously assaulted while intervening in a bag snatch last month.
Ms Knight, 43, suffered a fractured skull and underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed after she was allegedly hit by a teenager trying to steal another woman's bag at Countdown Northcote.
The mother-of-six was moved from Auckland City Hospital to a brain injury rehabilitation facility on Thursday.
Yesterday she returned to her Birkenhead home for a visit to celebrate eldest daughter Laura's 22nd birthday.
Her husband Peter Thomas wrote about the visit on his Facebook page last night.
"A lovely visit home for Lucy today for a birthday lunch for Laura. A really positive step," he said.
"Lucy spent just over two hours with us at home and really loved seeing all the kids and eating some yummy food. She was pretty tired at the end of the visit and ready for a bit of a rest back at the rehab centre. A great day. A lovely birthday for Laura."
On Saturday Mr Thomas revealed the his wife spent time with family at a picnic at the rehab centre.
"Lucy, her mum, most of the kids and I had a little picnic lunch today at the rehab centre. It was really simple and very nice. Lucy also painted Phoebe's nails," he wrote on Facebook, where he regularly updates family and friends about Ms Knight's recovery.
"I am amazed at the strength and determination that she is showing in getting back to her best. She thrives on the kids love and continues to enjoy the warm messages coming to us."
- NZ Herald