Police in Tauranga are investigating a home invasion in which three children were woken by the sound of their father being beaten by intruders.
Two men broke into the Carlton St house at about 1am on Thursday armed with a screwdriver and a metal pipe.
Police say the father was punched and kicked repeatedly when he went to investigate the noise. The fight continued outside until the intruders fled.
They say the children, aged from nine to 15, were significantly distressed.
