"I would hate to think what could have happened if they had got inside," the detective said.
Mr Whaitiri found three men aged between 18 and 20 wearing bandannas across their faces. They were carrying a baseball bat and a knife. They demanded money and alcohol.
"I just told them to bugger off and went back to bed but that's when I saw him coming in the window," Mr Whaitiri said.
Fearing he would be attacked he struck the man on the top of his head with a baseball bat.
"He screamed and got out of the window pretty quickly," Mr Whaitiri said. One of the young men grabbed a large object and threw it through it window before fleeing.
"My neighbour came running out and we chased them but they got away. If I had a gun I would have shot them," he said.
Mr Whaitiri stayed with family in Flaxmere that night but has since returned to his Kereru Heights flat.
"They won't get me to move," he said of his attackers.
He believes the young men were targeting him for the home brew he makes for friends.
Mr Whaitiri's niece Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri is currently in Scotland and said the news of the attack was terrible, not just because the victim was her uncle.
"It is distressing that these attacks are happening at this time of year."
She wanted to remind everyone it was important to keep a vigilant eye on the vulnerable members of our community, especially around the holiday season. Christmas tended to bring out the best and the worst in people, she said.
"Some people can get very desperate and will do what they can to get their hands on what they want."
An elderly resident said the younger generation in the area had little to no respect for their elders.
"It's disgusting that they would target older residents. They know if they ever come to my house I'll have my patu (club) waiting for them."
Another elderly couple who are moving from the area said hearing of this incident had left them feeling uneasy.
"This is certainly a bad part of town."
About seven flats in the village were empty which left them feeling vulnerable.
Mr Whaitiri had no immediate neighbours to his flat.
The couple said the strong gang presence in the area and the lack of patrols made it a dangerous place to be. "We are happy to be moving on."
Mr Yule said he was disgusted with this cowardly attack on an elderly man in his home.
"He is shaken but bearing up well considering the circumstances."
Mr Yule said a witness reported seeing a Blue Honda Civic parked outside the Takapu Rd address with about five men inside around the time of the attack.
It is believed that the man who was struck in the head may have swelling or injuries to the top of his head.
"If anyone notices their son with a lump on his head we would like to talk to that family," Mr Yule said.
Any information regarding such activities maybe reported to police on 06 8310700 or information can be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
HOW TO STAY SAFE
Don't confront people.
Don't open the door for people you don't know.
Don't antagonise them.
Don't try to reason with an intoxicated person.
Don't threaten to call the police, just do it!
Don't put yourself in danger if you don't know who you are dealing with.
Source: Hastings police
