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The fight covered much of the approximately 200m-long one-way section of Williams Rd in Paihia. (File photo)
Up to 50 people, some armed with baseball bats and outdoor furniture, were involved in a fight in Northland’s Paihia on Saturday evening.
There were no serious injuries in the incident but Bay of Islands locals are appealing for those involved in the riot to care more about the community.
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Police received a number of calls from 7.30pm on Saturday about a group fighting on Williams Rd, originally starting at a business then spilling out onto the road.
Callers reported between 20 and 50 people involved, a police spokesperson said.
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Police rushed to the scene but the group had dispersed and there were no arrests.
The fighters used outdoor furniture and sun umbrellas from one of the Williams Rd restaurants, Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack, said the owner who asked to remain anonymous.
No one was dining outside at the time, and the restaurant’s patrons were kept inside where they were safely able to continue dining, he said.
Peter Meecham/Stuff
Paihia, in Northland’s Bay of Islands, used to be a hotspot for international tourists and generally does not see trouble, business owners say. (File photo)
The owner said the fight spread down to Paihia Four Square, covering the approximately 200m of Williams Rd’s one-way system.
Other locals reported hearing women screaming and men yelling.
The incident comes just a day after a rāhui to end gang violence was laid over nearby town, Kaikohe, in response to escalating violence in Northland and Auckland between the Killer Beez and the Tribesmen.
The owner said there was nothing to indicate the riot involved gang members, but he was surprised they had brought baseball bats, showing a level of planning.
RNZ
Community leaders in Kaikohe organised a hīkoi through the town centre on Friday morning calling for peace amid rising gang violence.
“It’s never happened before and we certainly hope it never happens again.”
He is now assessing the damage to Jimmy Jack’s furniture, with some chairs and umbrellas needing to be replaced.
Another Paihia local, Lani Case, issued a plea on social media for those involved to stop the fighting.
She was in town just before the riot happened, and said people now felt unsafe and in shock.
“I plead to those involved to please stop this, we are not only damaging others by having to witness such destruction but we are hurting ourselves,” she said.
“There has to be an end before someone gets severely hurt or even winds up dead.”
Case said because Paihia does not have police present 24/7, officers had to come from Kawakawa or Kerikeri to assist.
This is fact is taken advantage of and the crime rates have risen, she said.
“I think in order for us to feel safe in our town – not just for me but the elderly and our children and future generations – there needs to be police here 24/7 to keep us feel safe.”
