The police in Palmerston North are investigating what they describe as a callous attack on a man in his own home.
They say another man forced him inside when he went out to get wood for his fire at about 10pm on Friday night.
The attacker demanded money and drugs, and assaulted him numerous times, before searching the Salisbury Avenue house and taking money.
The attacker is described as a Maori or Polynesian with light skin, in his mid twenties, solidly built, and with stained teeth.
He was wearing a black and grey check bush shirt, a dark beanie and brown slip-on work boots.
The police want anyone who may have seen the man in the area from 9.45pm on Friday to contact them.
