FAMILY SHOCK: Beaten pensioner Louis Watt's grandson Adam Little, left, and son-in-law Keith Oddy speak to media about the attack.

The burglar who brutally attacked an elderly man in his own home is a "scum bag" and a "cowardly animal" his family says.

Pensioner Louis Watts, 85, was watching television in his the living room of his Wiri retirement village unit shortly after 7.30pm yesterday when a man appeared out of nowhere and went to grab a laptop from the table, said Detective Senior Sergeant Karyn Malthus this afternoon.

When Mr Watts challenged the intruder verbally, he was punched to the ground. As he fell, he hit his head, rendering him unconscious, she said.

Supplied Louis Watts, 85, was brutally attacked in his own home.

He came to about an hour later and, after checking the house to make sure the intruder had gone, phoned police.

He was taken to Auckland Hospital with multiple injuries, including a broken cheek, a suspected broken jaw bone, and cuts to the back of the head.

His adult grandson, Adam Little, was visibly upset by the attack on Mr Watts and labelled his attacker "a cowardly animal".

LAWRENCE SMITH/Sunday News CRIME SCENE: Police at the scene of a home invasion attack in a south Auckland retirement village.

Mr Watts' son-in-law, Keith Oddy, said he was shocked when told of the attack and thought "The scumbags are at it again".

An Australian, Mr Oddy had chosen to raise his family in New Zealand because it was a "good, safe country".

But no more, he said.

LAWRENCE SMITH/Sunday News GATHERING EVIDENCE: Police at the scene of a home invasion attack in a south Auckland retirement village.

"Hopefully the New Zealand Government and the public will do something about it."

Mr Watts was a Second World War veteran and very independent.

While his recovery would take several months, he would survive, Mr Oddy said.

He also believed Mr Watts would, after a few months being cared for by his family, want to return to the unit he had lived in for the past six years.

Ms Malthus said an examination of the crime scene had been hampered by inclement weather and would continue over Easter weekend.

Police would also be knocking on doors looking for anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity.

At this stage, police did not have any suspects but were hopeful of catching the offender, described as being a "fat" Maori of Polynesian man who was possibly middle aged.

It was believed he gained access to the unit through an unsecured window in the bathroom.

The attack on Mr Watts was "brutal" she said.

"It's a growing concern for us that the elderly are getting attacked and we will be doing our level best to bring the offender to justice."

Police have asked for anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 0800 738368.

-By KIM RUSCOE