The Mongrel Mob gang pad on Percy Spiller Ave where the brawl broke out.
The Mongrel Mob gang pad on Percy Spiller Ave where the brawl broke out.
A man is in hospital after a large fight between a group of 15 to 20 Mongrel Mob gang members in Maraenui, Napier.
Initial reports yesterday suggested the brawl occurred between rival gangs but police later said it was members of just one gang fighting among themselves.
Hawke's Bay Today understands Mongrel Mob members were involved in the brawl which occurred in Percy Spiller Ave, just off Masefield Ave.
"It is one of the reasons why I set up a gang focus unit, which has made more than a hundred gang-related arrests."
Nash said the incident will attract the full force of Police but that the public need to come forward with information to help them.
"I urge anyone with information about gangs, firearms or drugs to contact Police immediately, anonymously if necessary, to help Police in their work to prevent offending," he said.
"Police cannot do this on their own and it needs a whole of community response."
One man involved in the gang brawl is thought to have been transported to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
He said in just six months the gang unit seized dozens of illegal firearms, more than a kilogram of methamphetamine, more than $250,000 in cash, dozens of vehicles and tens of thousands of dollars in other assets as he said Police go after the proceeds of crime.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said that the incident was due to a family matter and that Police and local organisations were working with them to deal with the issue.
But she said that gang violence or any violence was not tolerated and that work will continue to prevent further incidents from occurring.
Police were notified about the incident at 12.03pm.
One man received moderate injuries as a result of the brawl and was transported to Hawke's Bay Hospital.
It is understood baseball bats have were used in the brawl.
A community meeting was called a few weeks ago in response to another gang incident that occurred January 19 in which where shots were fired during a brawl of 30 to 40 gang members in Taradale's CBD.
A 25-year-old man had injuries to his face, eye and torso caused by a pellet shot in the confrontation, while a shotgun pellet also hit a car seat which had a child strapped into it, who was unharmed.
In early February, Wise said she hoped to hold a hui to bring together gang leaders, police, and others from the community to discuss the issues, and try to ease the tensions.
