Postings on the Times-Age Facebook page suggests the woman, described as a "kuia" (a female elder) and a "nan" may have been trying to diffuse the fight.
Miriam St was cordoned off at both ends as additional officers were brought in from Wellington to assist with keeping the situation calm on Sunday.
An investigation team and photographer worked by torchlight to record the scene.
Yesterday a cordon remained over a section of Miriam St, with a tent covering an area of blood where the woman had been injured.
Acting police area commander Mike Sutton said the crash occurred after a "confrontation" between two groups at an address.
He said both groups involved have gang connections. No arrests had been made as of yesterday afternoon.
He said reports of a gun being used turned out not to be true. "We're following up on reports of rocks being thrown, and other items being presented as weapons," he said.
Mr Sutton said extra police staff would be in the Wairarapa for a week as a result of the incident in a prevention capacity to ensure no further incidents took place, and to assist with the investigation. "We're working closely with the people involved in this.
"We don't want to see any increase in this."
A neighbour near the incident did not wish to talk to the Times-Age, but said she was "still in shock".
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the fighting and noise was "scary".
"It was pretty upsetting. We just stayed inside, but we could hear the fighting."
