A solo father beaten unconscious and hit with an axe in front of his children was attacked by three people who took issue with his "parenting skills".
Police say the 50-year-old was having dinner on Monday at his home in Waihi with his three daughters, aged 12, 13 and 14, when two men and a woman allegedly barged in. One was carrying the axe.
Detective Glenn Tinsley of Waihi police said the group confronted the solo father about his "parenting skills" before he was assaulted.
The offenders were not known to the man and nothing was taken from the house.
The man was left with a broken jaw and injured ribs after being hit with the blunt end of the axe, punched in the head and kicked several times.
"All this occurred in full view of his obviously distraught daughters," Mr Tinsley said.
The father was taken to Waikato Hospital but has since been released.
Police did not know what prompted the attack but the offenders had been identified.
- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES, NZPA
Father beaten over parenting skills
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