Pair traumatised by 'extremely violent' home invasion

The house has been cordoned off by police. Photo / Paul Taylor / Hawke's Bay Today

Police in Hawkes Bay are hunting for a man they say smashed his way into an Ahuriri house last night in a savage attack which left a man in his 60s with a fractured skull.

Detective Glenn Burrell of the Napier CIB said police were searching for 49-year-old Napier man Kurt Taylor, who was known to the couple who were both attacked.

"This was an extremely violent attack on an innocent couple and we need to find Taylor as soon as possible," Mr Burrell said.

"He is dangerous and volatile and is obviously capable of horrendous acts of violence. We urge anyone who knows where he is to contact police immediately."

The attack happened about 8.30pm last night after Taylor smashed his way into the Bull St house.

Holes could be seen smashed in a glass side door to the property as well as the main glass sliding door this morning.

He was armed with a weapon of some description which had not been identified or found at this stage.

Mr Burrell said Taylor attacked the man and then set upon his wife.

A neighbour, hearing the noise, ran to see what was happening and to help the woman - Taylor then made off and was last seen driving away in a white Ford Telstar car.

Mr Burrell said the female victim was recovering with family members and her husband was likely to remain in hospital for some time.

"This has been a terrible ordeal for them and they are being well supported by family and friends."

The incident had left their neighbour "traumatised", a person at the scene said. The neighbour was too upset to talk about what she had seen and heard.

Spots of blood could be seen spattered along the driveway out to the roadside.

The area around the house had been immediately cordoned off by the first police on the scene and security personnel were stationed there overnight until the arrival of CIB investigators.

Taylor is described as Maori of medium build, 1.75m tall and has long hair that he wears in a ponytail.

Police believe he may be travelling north as he has connections in Whangarei.

Mr Burrell said it was important that police received any information relating to Taylor's whereabouts.