Whangārei brawler jailed for role in violent bar fight leaving four injured

James Hemi Blyth became enraged when he heard people talking from a rival gang.

A night out celebrating a birthday turned into an all-out brawl after a group were set on by three men fuelled by alcohol and intent on a fight with rival gang members.

Now, one of the brawlers has been jailed for his role in a fight at the Whangārei nightspot, The Butter Factory which left four injured including a security guard.

On July 20, 2024, James Hemi Blyth, 25, was at the bar socialising with two friends when he overheard a conversation from a rival gang member.

In a summary of facts released to NZME, Blyth, a patched Black Power member, became enraged and started the brawl with several patrons who were out celebrating a 30th birthday.

James Hemi Blyth became enraged when he heard people talking from a rival gang.

The fight spilled out on to the main deck and by this stage, Blyth was shirtless.

Blyth was removed from the premises by security and attempted to strike an unknown person with a glass bottle however missed and bent the metal bar fence.

Blyth picked up the bottle and swung at a victim, striking him in the head and causing a 1cm gash across his nose which began bleeding profusely.

He then attempted to re-enter the establishment, which now had its gates closed to separate the groups, and ripped off a metal fence paling.

He then used the paling to strike another victim causing him to fall to the ground.

Blyth was charged with two charges of assault with a weapon and one charge of intentional damage and pleaded guilty on Friday at the Whangārei District Court before Judge John McDonald.

Blyth requested to be sentenced on the spot and was jailed for 17 months.

Two other offenders were also charged with varying assaults on other victims including one who allegedly stabbed a person in the shoulder.

The Butter Factory has been plagued by a number of serious assaults over the years. Photo / Denise Piper

The Butter Factory is one of Whangārei’s leading live music venues however has been in the spotlight for a spate of fights where patrons have wound up seriously injured requiring hospitalisation.

Details provided recently to The Northern Advocate found there were 520 incidents recorded in Butter Factory Lane and Laurie Hall carpark over a nine month period sparking police to oppose their recent liquor licence application.

Manager of The Butter Factory Sheridan Marris told The Northern Advocate in November the bar would continue to offer a free late-night sausage sizzle for customers, and have eight to 10 security guards on nights with events.

Its security guards had also started patrolling the nearby carpark to complement the work of CitySafe security guards and welcomed an increased police patrols, Marris said.

In December, their liquor licence was granted however their hours have been reduced to closing at 1am.

Shannon Pitman is a Whangārei-based reporter for Open Justice covering courts in the Te Tai Tokerau region. She is of Ngāpuhi/ Ngāti Pūkenga descent and has worked in digital media for the past five years. She joined NZME in 2023.