Two boys in Whangarei have been caught by the police after an attempted armed robbery.
A woman shopkeeper was threatened with a knife and a screwdriver in the city on Wednesday afternoon. Police say she was also assaulted, but not injured.
The suspects - aged nine and 12 years - were apprehended not far from the shop.
The younger boy was released in the care of his mother and the other is under the care of Child Youth & Family.
Police say Youth Aid officers will be deal with both.