Police have called the aggravated burglaries "cowardly". Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
An elderly woman and young child have been injured after being hit with the barrel of a gun two separate burglaries.
Police have asked for people to come forward with information after men forced their way into homes around Huntly, attacked residents and - in one case - took a family's Christmas presents.
Acting Detective Sergeant Brodie McQuilkin said investigations into the "cowardly and violent" acts during October and November were continuing.
Police had responded to five separate reports where groups of men wearing balaclavas and carrying guns had entered homes, taking a number of items.
A child and an elderly woman were injured after being hit by the barrel of a gun, police said.
McQuilkin said police wanted to speak to anyone with information about the group of alleged offenders, or anyone with CCTV footage or who had noticed suspicious activity in the Huntly area over the past month.
People could provide information via the police 105 hotline or call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man arrested for alleged burglary of elderly woman's home
Meanwhile in the area, a 34-year-old man has been charged after an alleged aggravated burglary at an elderly woman's Hamilton home.
Police said two men broke into the woman's home on 1 December, and entered her room while she was sleeping.
The woman was told to hand over money and some of her belongings, before the offenders fled in a stolen vehicle.
Police said the man was arrested during a search of a Hamilton property on Friday, and charged with aggravated robbery, burglary, and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.
The investigation was ongoing, and police were not ruling out further arrests.
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