Police have launched an investigation after a woman at home alone challenged two burglars who broke into her house during the night.

At about 4.45am on Friday, the woman was awake in bed in her Matamata home when she saw a man looking at her through her bedroom door.

A woman sustained minor injuries when she was assaulted in her home. File photo.

She told him to leave and he did so.

'She then heard noises in the house, and when she investigated she found a second man in the lounge in the process of taking her laptop computer,” says a statement from police.

'She challenged the man, who dropped the computer and left the house. As he left, the first man returned and assaulted her. She was not badly injured.”

Both men then left the house.

One man is described as Maori, aged between 28 and 36 years, about 165cm tall (5ft6) solid build with big eyes and lips and wearing a black hoodie and blue jeans.

The second man was also Maori, about 185cm (6ft2) tall, skinny build and aged about 25 years or slightly younger, says police.

He is described as having a hunched gait and hair short at the sides, longer on top and possibly with a rats tail at the back.

He has a thin mustache and speaks with a soft voice. While police commend the woman's bravery in challenging the burglars, they recommend that anyone else who may find themselves in a similar situation should be non-confrontational and alert the police as soon as possible.

Anyone with any information that could help identify these men is asked to contact Matamata Police at 07 8887117.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line.