Serious assault at Mongrel Mob party

File photo / NZ Herald

Rotorua police are investigating a serious assault after a fight broke out at a Mongrel Mob party in the eastern suburbs of the city last night.

Rotorua police area commander Inspector Bruce Horne told The Daily Post this morning the gang was having a birthday party at a house opposite McDonalds, when a fight within the gang broke out about 7.30pm.

Mr Horne said the police were appealing to witnesses who were in the area at the time, including members of the public driving on Te Ngae Rd and those arriving and leaving McDonalds.

"It is gang related but it is an internal dispute."

Mr Horne said a man injured in the fight was taken to Rotorua Hospital before police arrived.

Comments on social networking sites this morning that a police officer was seriously assaulted were incorrect, he said.

When The Daily Post arrived at the scene this morning, there were six houses on both sides of Robinson Ave and the McDonalds exit on Robinson Ave cordoned off.

A policeman was standing at the cordon and a booze bus was parked near the cordon also. McDonalds was still operating.