Octagenarian assaulted in home invasion.

An 82 year old man has been brutally assaulted in an attack inside his Wainuiomata home.

Hutt Valley Detective Sergeant Mike Sears says the victim answered a knock at his door shortly before 8pm last night.

He was then confronted by two young men who asked to speak to a person known to the man.

They then pushed him to the ground, and hit him over the head with a wooden baton, before demanding cash.

The pair then made a messy search of the house, before leaving with an undisclosed sum of money.

The octogenarian has been left with bad bruising to his face and body, is badly shaken by this attack and is now staying with family.

Detective Sergeant Sears describes the assailants as dangerous offenders and cowardly thugs who need to be caught as soon as possible.

He says police need the public's help in identifying the pair who are thought to be aged around 15 to 16 and one was wearing one black and one white sports shoe.

Detective Sergeant Sears is appealing for anyone with information to contact Hutt Valley police on 04 560 2600 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Photo: NZ Herald