Marathon party ends with mass brawl and shooting

A Hamilton party that had been going on for several days ended with a huge brawl and one person allegedly being shot in the knee with an air rifle.

The armed offenders squad was called to the party, in the suburb of Enderley, early yesterday morning after reports of a large fight involving 20 or more people and a weapon being fired a number of times.

One man complained of being shot in the knee.

But Waikato police spokesman Andrew McAlley said the bullet did not penetrate the skin and no cartridge was found, indicating it was an airgun, although no weapon had been found.

Mr McAlley said a disagreement developed after a group of people turned up at the party and broken bottles were used as weapons.

"Reports from neighbours were the party had been going on for a number of days. You can imagine people's feelings about that."

Mr McAlley would not comment on whether gangs were involved.

He said police were still speaking to a number of people and as yet there had been no arrests.

Meanwhile, a man appeared in court yesterday accused of attacking another man with a machete in central Hamilton on Wednesday.

The victim suffered wounds to his arm while trying to ward off a blow in Victoria St about11.30pm.

The offender threw the machete away as he fled, and the police have appealed for public help to find it.