Farewell to Aroha ends in violence

Aroha Ireland takes a walk with John Key in 2007. Photo / File

Aroha Ireland was among a group of teenagers attacked by gang members after her farewell party.

The 17-year-old poster child of National's 2008 election campaign, who was preparing to leave for Australia, had been saying goodbye to friends at a party last Saturday night.

But her friends were attacked by gang members with weapons.

At least one teenager was knocked out in the melee.

Writing on Facebook, Aroha thanked friends who "stayed behind to help out with those f***** black powers".

Aroha said she was moving to Australia permanently with her boyfriend, Stuart Spashett, also 17.

Friends had started a bonfire in Anderson Park, Mt Albert, after the party supervised by Aroha's mother, Joan.

About 8am, several Black Power members showed up.

"Hard out ! had to use weapons on teenagers. Haha too tough man. They all good, just bruised," one person wrote on Facebook.

Joan Nathan said: "There was no trouble at the party the only trouble she had was after the party."

A police spokesman said there were no reports of any complaints from the area at that time.

Nathan said her daughter was moving to live with her father in Melbourne because there were too few opportunities in New Zealand.