No plea: Rachel Faul

Queenstown police confirm the remaining two men sought in relation to the November 26 attack have today (Tuesday) handed themselves in after three local homes were earlier searched and further arrests made.

The men, aged in their twenties, walked in to Queenstown Police Station with their lawyer and they are currently speaking to detectives about the gang-style attack on a Cromwell man and his girlfriend near Arrowtown.

The latest development brings the total number of people identified as being involved in the alleged attack to eight - all locals. Their ages range from 17 to 28. The group has been jointly charged with kidnapping and aggravated wounding and will appear in Queenstown District Court next Monday.

Detective sergeant Brian Cameron says that while police are pleased that people involved have come forward, there are still several enquiries to follow up.

Earlier today, police searched three properties in Frankton and Arrowtown and items central to the inquiry - including bladed weapons and clothing - were found. 

The search followed the arrest of two other men yesterday after they contacted police separately through their lawyers. 

Queenstowner Rachel Faul, 20, was arrested soon after the November 26 incident and is currently remanded without plea at Christchurch Women’s Prison. She’s due to reappear on February 28.

It’s alleged that a 28-year-old Cromwell man was set-upon by a balaclava-clad group, some wielding a machete and a meat cleaver, at the Crown Range Road intersection on State Highway 6. The man’s girlfriend was also attacked. The man was then bundled into a car driven at speed and ejected from the vehicle at Chartres Green in Arrowtown.

Kidnap arrest 'just baffling'