Weekend of violence across the country

Police dealt with a weekend of large-scale violence across the country in which party-goers and police officers were injured.

Big teenage gatherings resulted in brawls in Hamilton and Auckland, while at an out-of-control party in Palmerston North revellers turned on police.

Palmerston North

Police were met with "a hail of bottles and abuse" as they turned up to deal with the party in Palmerston North on Saturday night.

Sergeant Chris Fraser said police arrived at the Main St address where a party had got out of control and its numbers were swelling to up to 200.

When police arrived they had to don protective helmets and shields, Mr Fraser said. Some officers were injured in the incident.

Mr Fraser said four arrests were made for disorder-type offences, including two 14-year-old boys who allegedly threw bottles at police.

It was the second time within a week a party in Palmerston North had got out of control.

"I believe a large number of the uninvited guests were there purely to incite police after the similar incident occurred the week prior," Mr Fraser said.

Hamilton

Police took an hour to clear about 200 youths involved in a brawl at Kahikatea Drive in Frankton.

A Hamilton police spokesman said officers arrived at the fight scene in Frankton about 1am and were "trying to sort out the mess".

Ambulances have been called to the incident after police received a number of reports that people were injured. However, St John paramedics did not need to take anyone to hospital.

Auckland

Six teenagers among a large group fighting outside an Auckland takeaway bar were arrested on Friday night.

The six were arrested about 8pm after a fight broke out in the carpark of a hamburger bar in Dominion Rd.

They were taken to the central Auckland police station but released the next morning. Police said most would be dealt with by police youth aid.

In South Auckland, several people were involved in separate fights in Manurewa and Mangere on Friday night and early Saturday. A woman was reported to have been taken to hospital after being hit on the head with a baseball bat in Mangere.

Hastings

A man has been charged with assault after another was found beaten unconscious in Hastings yesterday.

Police said a 27-year-old man was taken to hospital after being found on an Albert St footpath about 12.30pm.

A 37-year-old was later arrested at a house nearby and charged with assault with intent to injure. He is due to appear in Hastings District Court on April 6.

Manawatu

Business owners in the small Manawatu town of Shannon were cleaning up after a spate of vandalism on Saturday night.

Local takeaways were the main targets, with rocks thrown through front windows, Newstalk ZB reported.

Between $3000 and $4000 of damage has been done and police are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the attacks.Samples of blood have been taken for DNA testing.

- additional reporting NZPA