KEY POINTS:
Two separate inquiries have been launched after a Manawatu Prison Christmas staff function at a Palmerston North hotel descended into a brawl on Saturday night.
Staff at the Awapuni Hotel, concerned about the rowdy behaviour, pulled the plug on the party an hour early and trouble spilled out into the street with one prison guard headbutting another.
Police and the Corrections Department are both now investigating the incident.
Hotel manager Darryn Street said there were more than 100 people at the party, which was booked until 1am. His staff decided to close at midnight.
"People were starting to argue, starting to yell ... it's the kind of thing you expect to happen more at 21sts," he told The Dominion Post.
Police confirmed that officers attended a "typical" drunken disorder incident at the hotel, but had not yet taken statements. It was too early to say whether charges would follow.
Corrections acting regional manager Peter Howe confirmed an incident had occurred at the staff function, which would be investigated.
"(We) expect a high standard of behaviour from all staff at all times, and would be concerned if any staff member had brought the department into disrepute in this way."
He said the function was outside normal working hours and was not funded by Corrections.
- NZPA
