A suspected gang brawl outside a funeral home in Whakatane has led to six people being arrested.
Video of the incident which emerged online shows fighting in the street while bottles were thrown.
Local news source The Beacon reports it's understood the funeral of a Kawerau Mongrel Mob member was being held at Gateway Funeral Services, when the brawl between Mongrel Mob and Whakatane Black Power members broke out.
"We just want to do our jobs and servce the families, but things like this can make it hard for us to do that," funeral director Bradley Shaw said.
"You will always come across this situation as Whakatane is regarded as Black Power territory," he told The Beacon.
A police spokesman told Newshub those arrested had been charged with rioting. One person appeared in the Whakatane District Court District Court on Tuesday, and another four were due to appear on July 23.
Another involved in the incident had been referred to Youth Aid, he said.
Emergency services were called to the scene, described by police as a "disorderly event", on Awatapu Dr about 5pm on Friday.
The spokesman said multiple units responded to the incident, including the Armed Offenders Squad.
"There are still charges pending and inquiries are ongoing," the spokesman said.
Newshub.
