Palmerston North District Court. Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey
Several Mongrel Mob members and associates have been charged after a mass brawl at a Palmerston North hotel.
Police said seven gang members and associates are before the courts after the fight which led to the Gang Conflict Warrant in August.
Police were called to the hotel on Main Street at about midnight on 8 August after reports of a mass brawl.
Earlier that evening, an R18 event was held at the hotel and attended by a large number of Mongrel Mob members and associates from areas nearby including Palmerston North and Hawke's Bay.
Police believe a disagreement over alleged missing property between a member of the public and a gang member started the fight.
The altercation escalated to another gang member assaulting the member of the public, initiating a mass brawl, police said.
"A series of Mongrel Mob members were involved in assaulting members of the public, and in some instances, bottles, bar stools, and other weapons of opportunity are believed to have been used," a police spokesperson said.
Multiple people received minor injuries during the brawl and were treated by medical staff at the scene and taken to Palmerston North Hospital.
Following the brawl, and other serious gang related incidents, a Gang Conflict Warrant was issued in the Manawatū area.
The warrant gives police special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and seize firearms, weapons, and vehicles.
A number of search warrants were conducted in relation to the brawl and, as a result, seven Mongrel Mob members were arrested.
Acting Detective Sergeant Richard How said the violence stemmed from people not being able to accept no as an answer.
"Clearly the use of violence by these gang members to get their own way is not going to be tolerated," Acting Detective Sergeant How said.
"These arrests are pleasing and show the community our determination to ensure each person is held accountable for their behaviour and actions in this incident."
The gang members appeared in court in September and October on assault charges and are aged from 26-years-old to 43-years-old. One person was warned for possession of an offensive weapon.
While the investigation into the brawl continues, police said they cannot rule out further arrests or charges.
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