A Christchurch great-grandmother who saved her neighbour from being attacked with an imitation samurai sword is being praised for her bravery.
Lois Kennedy, who lives in the suburb of Woolston, went to the aid of her neighbour early on Friday after hearing the woman calling out her name.
The 81-year-old told Checkpoint she didn't think and just raced out of bed, armed with a plastic hearth brush.
Ms Kennedy says managed to give the man a few bats with the brush before going back inside to call police.
A 40-year-old man was arrested at the scene on charges of assault, threatening to kill and resisting arrest.
Ms Kennedy says her 61-year-old neighbour is now out of hospital and staying with her daughter.
The incident is the third involving swords or machetes in just over a month.
