Police are hunting three armed, masked men who burst into a Masterton house last night and demanded money from the terrified occupants.
Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen said today several children were asleep at the Worksop Rd house when the group, armed with rifles, used a jemmy to smash their way in.
"Although no one was injured this is particularly disturbing," Mr Hansen said.
After taking cash, wallets and a small quantity of alcohol, the trio fled on foot.
In a second incident in the Wairarapa overnight, an unoccupied house on Belvedere Rd in Carterton was apparently deliberately set alight shortly before 1am.
Mr Hansen said the two incidents did not appear to be linked, and he appealed to anyone with information on either to contact police.
NZPA