Bottles thrown at police

Police officers were pelted with bottles as people among a crowd of 1000 revellers sparked massive disorder that stretched Auckland's police resources to the limit on K Rd early yesterday.

Auckland police Inspector Kerry Watson said officers from the team policing unit, a specialist team that handles alcohol-related issues including disorder, were sent to the brawl and were lucky not to be injured.

"Bottles were getting thrown at them," Mr Watson said.

"I don't know that you'd say it was a riot but it was massive disorder. There were a thousand people and there were pockets of people fighting and causing concerns. When you have pockets of people in a large crowd it's quite difficult to deal with.

"It basically took all of our policing resources for the Auckland policing area."

Mr Watson said brawling continued for at least 25 minutes and several people were arrested but he was unsure on the final total. Most would be appearing in court this morning.

The K Rd area has a liquor ban in place and police would be speaking to bar owners, but Mr Watson said it was impossible to tell if people carrying bottles had been served with them in bars, or if they had arrived in the area separately.