An elderly couple and their son were tied up during an armed home invasion at their rural Levin home this morning.

The victims' relative, John Matangi, said his in-laws, both 72, and his brother-in-law aged in his 40s, were tied up when at least four men entered their Joblins Road home around 5.45am.

He said they were tied up, their house was flooded after all the taps were turned on and the phone lines were cut as the attackers demanded cash.

Matangi's brother-in-law was struck around five times to the face as demands were made for the keys to the gun cabinet.

A .22 calibre rifle was taken, along with a laptop, other electronics and a ute as a getaway car.

Matangi said his 72-year-old father-in-law then biked a short distance to Matangi's home on CB Farm Road around 7.15am.

The elderly couple were "fine, just a bit shaken" and he was thankful that his in-laws weren't injured, he said.

Matangi's brother-in-law had a cut to his face and a swollen eye, he said. 

It was not known why the property, which is a market garden, was targeted.

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said it was "quite concerning" that the incident took place so close to them.

Detective Sergeant Peter Vine said the offenders took cash, two rifles, a shotgun, ammunition, personal effects, and one of the victim's vehicles.

"We believe the offenders arrived at the property in a vehicle and left in this vehicle and the victims," he said.

"We cannot disclose at this stage the amount of cash that was taken from the property."

The victim's vehicle is a 2009 Black Holden Colorado, registration EZP335.

- © Fairfax NZ News