A knife was held to the throat of a woman before she was robbed in a home invasion in Auckland on Sunday night.
A man entered the woman's Henderson home about 7.20pm on Sunday, police said.
He held a knife to her throat and threatened her before stealing jewellery and other property.
He then walked out of the house and down the street.
Police said the woman, in her 40s, was "incredibly shaken" by the incident but uninjured.
She was being supported by Victim Support as police investigate.
"Sunday night was a very warm evening and lots of people will have been outdoors, it's very possible that someone has seen this man walking down the street ... We believe this man may be a local and residents may well have seen him before or after he committed this crime," said Detective Sergeant Peter Litherland.
The man was described as being of Maori or Pacific Island appearance, medium build, in his 20s,wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, black knee-length shorts and jandals and was carrying a navy blue school bag with a white logo on it and a large black camera bag over his shoulder.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Waitakere CIB on 09 839 0670.
Information can also be provided anonymously to the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.