18-year-old Whangarei man arrested after paintball gun attack

Police were called about 3.30am on Sunday.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested after six people waiting for a taxi in Whangarei were shot with a paintball gun.

Police were called about 3.30am on Sunday when a passenger in a car pulled out a paintball gun and "shot rapid fire" at a group waiting outside Bank Street Traders, on the corner of Bank and Water streets.

Detective Sergeant Mark McCloy said an 18-year-old Whangarei man was arrested on Sunday and would appear in Whangarei District Court today.

He faces one charge of causing grievous bodily harm and five of assault with a weapon.

An 18-year-old female was shot in the eye and returned to hospital yesterday for specialist treatment. McCloy said the long-term prognosis for her eye was undetermined.

Five others suffered welts and bruising.