Auckland crime: Police investigating after women armed with bats turn up to Ōtāhuhu house

Te Aho Witehira cleaning his sister’s house in Ōtāhuhu following a violent home invasion this morning. Photo / Alex Burton

A group - including up to eight females - armed with bats turned up at a house in Auckland early this morning, leaving a female occupant with broken bones and head wounds.

And the victim’s anguished brother has spoken of encountering his injured loved one, and damage caused by the group to the house she was living in.

A police spokesman confirmed they were investigating an aggravated robbery in the suburb of Ōtāhuhu reported about 3.15am.

“A group of female offenders were reported to be causing damage to the property with bats.

“An occupant of the address was located with moderate injuries and was transported to hospital for assessment.”

St John ambulance was called to an Ōtāhuhu house where a person suffered moderate injuries overnight. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Te Aho Witehira - the brother of the injured woman - said he was left in shock after being alerted by police.

”I took her to the hospital around 4.45am,” he said. “She is lucky to still be standing.

”She was sleeping when they came two boys and eight girls they took turns beating her with their bats.”

Damage to a house in Ōtāhuhu after an early morning home invasion on July 5. Photo / Alex Burton

Witehira said they did not who or why this violent ordeal happen.

His sister has lived in the house for about eight years.

“The whole house is smashed up. The toilets and TVs are all banged up.”

His sister was still in the hospital, he said.

”She has multiple broken bones, whole arm and knuckles broken, her head is injured.”

He said his sister had also suffered a stab wound, adding police had taken CCTV footage away.

Blood stains in a flat which was targeted by early morning home invaders. Photo / Alex Burton

“The blood was all over the blankets and mattress,” Witehira said.

“My sister’s boarder was upstairs but she was able to hear the screaming and by the time she came to help her ... they ran out the door.”

Police said inquiries were still in the early stages and included looking at whether the women involved and the residents of the house knew each other.

“Police are still at the scene with a scene examination to take place later today.”

Can you help? Anyone with information is urged to contact Police on 105 or anonymously on CrimeStoppers: 0800 555 111

Akula Sharma is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2022. She has previously worked at the Gisborne Herald.