It's too early to say how a man came to be hit by a car during a brawl in Rotorua, police say.

The 34-year-old Rotorua man remains in a serious but stable condition in Rotorua Hospital after the incident on Koutu Rd on Sunday afternoon.

Detective Sergeant Garry Hawkins said police were contacted about 4.30pm to reports of a fight involving a large number of people with weapons. When police arrived they found a Rotorua man lying seriously injured and unconscious in a driveway.

Inquiries suggested there had been a confrontation between two groups of people. At some point during the incident the victim was struck by a vehicle on the driveway, Mr Hawkins said.

The man was taken to Rotorua Hospital where he was being treated for serious injuries but was in a stable condition.

"It is early days in the investigation," Mr Hawkins said. "There were a lot of people in and around the address so there are a large number of statements that need to be taken. It is too soon to speculate on exactly how the victim came to be hit by the car and whether or not it was a deliberate act."

Police have possession of three vehicles including the one believed to have hit the man.

Mr Hawkins said there was a fair amount of traffic passing and also pedestrians in the area at the time.

Police wanted to hear from anyone on Koutu Rd who saw the incident or had any information that could be relevant.

Contact Rotorua police on (07) 349 9400. Information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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