The 55-year-old-woman attacked in her driveway in Auckland earlier this week was assaulted from behind by two men, say police.
The woman was punched and kicked until she was unconscious, and her daughter was also attacked, in an assault on Monday night that police earlier described as "vicious and unprovoked."
While police initially believed the woman was assaulted after confronting two men trying to break into her neighbour's car, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Armstrong said formal interviews and scene examinations have revealed the woman was attacked from behind without warning.
He said she was heading to her car in her driveway in Point Chevalier when it happened at 7pm on Monday evening.
The two men had interfered with another car on her driveway beforehand, but the woman did not know that.
Her daughter was also attacked when she came to her mother's aid.
Mr Armstrong said the victims were recovering well and receiving ongoing support.