The police in Palmerston North believe that a man attacked in his home early on Friday morning was deliberately targeted by his assailants.
The 63-year-old man was assaulted and robbed in his Waldegrave St home at about 2.30am.
Detective Sergeant Gary Miligan says he suffered bruising and a broken rib, and is yet to be formally interviewed.
But he says two or three men are believed to be responsible for the attack, and it's thought they specifically targeted the victim's home.
