Four hurt in family brawl in Te Puke

A man beaten with a hockey stick has been arrested for stabbing three men in Te Puke on Friday night.

Neighbours say those involved were members of an Indian family who have a history of brawling on the street.

Police investigating the incident say three people were found with stab wounds at a Te Puke address and the fourth man, who had been beaten with the hockey stick, was located at a separate property.

A St John spokesman said the men were taken to hospital from houses in Boucher Ave and Cameron Rd.

A man who also lives on Boucher Ave said the family were always fighting.

"I hear them all the time. They spill out on to the street and one time I had to go out there with a hatchet to break them up," he said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said police were called to a house about 9.45pm where they discovered three people with stab wounds.

A man was also found at another property, who had been beaten with a hockey stick.

All four were admitted to the Tauranga Hospital with serious injuries.

One man remained in the intensive care unit in a stable condition while a second man had been transferred to a ward.

A third man had been discharged from hospital, Turner said.

The fourth man, who had been beaten, a 35-year-old fruit picker, has been charged with assault and remanded in custody to appear in the Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

Turner said he would face further charges.

Te Puke police wished to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the assaults or had any other information that could help police in their inquiries.