Mahuta dirt bike dispute: Firearms seized, arrests made following search warrants

Police say firearms were presented at a property in Mahuta in Northland on the evening of June 25, after a dispute between dirt bikers and residents. Photo / NZME

Police have made three arrests after a dispute between a group of dirt bikers and residents, where firearms were allegedly drawn.

Whangārei-Kaipara area commander inspector Maria Nordstrom said the incident occurred on the evening of June 25 in Mahuta, southwest of Dargaville.

A group of residents encountered dirt bikers doing burnouts and being disruptive, Nordstrom said.

“A dispute occurred between some residents and riders when they were asked to leave the area, and these requests were ignored.”

The groups then went their separate ways.

However, the situation escalated when two people arrived at the driveway of a property allegedly carrying firearms.

Nordstrom said no firearms were discharged, but police were called to the scene.

Five search warrants were carried out last week as a result of inquiries, she said.

Members from the Offender Prevention Team, Criminal Investigation Branch and a detector dog assisted.

Four addresses and one vehicle were searched, she said.

Three people were arrested and three firearms were also seized, including a shotgun and two rifles.

A 36-year-old appeared in Whangārei District Court on a charge of intentional damage and a firearms offence.

He was remanded in custody and would reappear on July 28.

A 32-year-old woman also appeared in court on a charge of behaving threateningly.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man is due to appear in the same court next week on two driving offences.

Nordstrom said the investigation was continuing, “... So this is by no means over.

“There is no place for violence or intimidation in our community, and if this does occur, expect police to be paying you a visit.”

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.