A man has been knocked unconscious after interrupting thieves at his home near Palmerston North.
Police said the attack happened when the 40-year-old victim was awoken by noises outside his home south of Pahiatua at around 3am on Sunday.
When he went outside to investigate he found his vehicle had been tampered with and some of his possessions were missing, police said.
As he walked to the back of his vehicle he was struck over the head and knocked unconscious.
He gained consciousness a short time later and raised the alarm before being taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment.
Acting Detective Sergeant Glen Jackson said there were likely to be witnesses to the assault, as it happened near State Highway 2.
"We are keen to speak to anyone who was in that area in the early hours of Sunday who saw any people or vehicles that may be linked to this offence."
It was not clear what the victim was struck with and no details are available on how many offenders there were or what they looked like, police said.
- HERALD ONLINE