Alleged gang assault 'sparked by drive-by of wedding'

Police said further arrests and charges are likely. Photo / File

An alleged Waimarama gang assault that put a man in hospital and has led to the arrests of more than a dozen people was sparked by a disturbance to a wedding, gang sources claim.

A man was allegedly assaulted at his house in the community about 6pm on Monday by a group of people "believed to be Mongrel Mob Redcoats members or associates", a police spokesperson said.

Mongrel Mob sources have claimed to Hawke's Bay Today the assault was in response to a number of recent driving incidents in the Waimarama community.

The victim, who has now been released from hospital, was driving down Waimarama Rd when he "came too close" to a wedding, a source said.

Two people have been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The remainder have been charged with participating in an organised crime group, police said.

"Further arrests and charges are likely," police said.

Eight people appeared before a registrar on charges related to the assault in Hastings District Court on Friday. More were scheduled to appear on Monday.

Hastings District Councillor Bayden Barber said there had been a spate of tagging and cars losing traction that had been "ripping up our roads" over the weekend before the alleged assault.

He said driving behaviour was an issue on the road and needed to be monitored over summer, but violence was "never an acceptable way of resolving community issues".

"Violence such as this not only breeds fear into the victims but also the wider community.

"The Waimarama community needs to be part of developing how we address community issues."

Barber said it was rare to have gang-related incidents in Waimarama.

"We had a community meeting the same night of this incident with over 150 people and gang violence was not raised as an issue."