One of the posters calls on children aged 11 and 12 at three different intermediate schools to fight. Photo / Facebook
One of the posters calls on children aged 11 and 12 at three different intermediate schools to fight. Photo / Facebook
Parents are being warned to keep an eye on their children in the coming week following fears that there are planned violent fights set to occur between young people - thought to be copycat events of Hamilton’s “Battle of the Hoods”.
Three intermediate schools in South Auckland were included inposters encouraging school children in years 7 and 8 to meet at a local park this afternoon.
“Fist fight no weapons” the poster said.
The posters for “Battle of the toughest Intermidiate in Mangere East [sic]” included spelling errors and mismatched dates.
There was no date mentioned on one poster but another said the fight was scheduled for today at 4pm.
Police and school leaders were aware of the planned fights.
“Tāmaki Makaurau Police are aware of information of planned events circulating on some social media platforms,” police said in a statement to the Herald.
“We will keep monitoring and respond to any matters arising accordingly.”
Another poster publicised a fight organised for Monday, February 20, at Aorere Park and called on everyone, “including girls”.
The meet-up spot for another, between Avondale College and Māngere College students, was said to be tomorrow at Māngere town centre.
Police and school leaders are aware of the posters, which some believe were created by someone in Hamilton. Photo / Facebook
The shopping centre is nearby the Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa Pool and Leisure Centre which is currently being used as a community hub for people displaced because of recent flooding.
Acting principal of Māngere College, Melegalenuu Ah Sam, said she had referred the poster and information to the Māngere Police Station and had been in contact with the principal of Avondale College.
“We have referred it to police and I have spoken to the sergeant at our Māngere Police Station and passed it into their hands,” Ah Sam said.
“We had a staff meeting about it and it’s our first week back so we are concentrating on teaching and keeping busy.”
Other school leaders had emailed parents and spoken to students in class and at assemblies.
A student at one of the schools believed all of the posters were the work of one or two students “who couldn’t spell” and it was not something students wanted to be involved in.
“We have just started at school and a lot of families in our community are dealing with damaged homes because of flooding,” the student who did not want to be named said.
“We have other things to deal with, not fighting.”
