Extra security at hospital after gang brawl

File photo / Herald on Sunday

There is extra security at Gisborne Hospital following a gang brawl between Black Power and the Mongrel Mob last night.

It has now emerged three men are in hospital after the fight in Kaiti.

Gisborne Hospital chief Jim Green says there is extra vigilance monitoring who is coming and going to ensure the safety of both patients and visitors.

"It means we've just got one entrance to the hospital open today and we've got extra security."

The fight between members of Black Power and the Mongrel Mob broke out at about 8pm at a home in Dalton Street, in the suburb of Kaiti - the scene of other gang confrontations in the past.

It was not clear how many people were involved and police were speaking to many witnesses, Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Smith said.

Police confirmed there were weapons involved but said there were no firearms.

The man in his thirties who was critically injured was taken to Waikato Hospital and the other injured man was taken to Gisborne Hospital. Both had serious head injuries.

"We are speaking to a lot of people at the moment but no one has been charged with anything. It's early days and there are a lot of witnesses," Mr Smith told NZPA.

Police have a scene investigation under way and while there is no word on the number of combatants involved, a wide range of different weapons is believed to have been used in the confrontation.

Police would not comment on the cause of the fight and would decide on charges as the investigation continued.

- Newstalk ZB, NZPA