A person has been seriously injured after a car was driven into pedestrians during an altercation involving a “large” group of people fighting and smashing vehicles.

Police were called to the incident on Walton St in central Whangārei at about 10.50am on Saturday.

Another person was moderately injured when the car was driven into pedestrians, a police spokesperson said.

A “handful” of people were arrested, including a youth, and were charged with a range of offences, they said.

The charges included possession of an offensive weapon and wounding with intent.

Police said inquiries were continuing, and further arrests or charges could be made as more information comes available.