Police at the small Upper Hutt community of Maoribank are praising good samaritans for helping a mother under threat

On Monday, Police received several reports of an aggressive man threatening a mother and children.

One man took them into his home to protect them.

Sergeant Sam Mercer says members of the pubic came forward offering to help when the man resisted arrest.

He says it's great to see the community standing up to say family harm is not okay.