Dozens of dirt bike riders took over Auckland streets on Friday, damaging a police car and driving "extremely dangerously" according to officers.
A video posted to Reddit shows the riders driving all over the road and even in the direction of oncoming traffic.
Auckland Police acting Inspector Terry Lee says officers chose not to intervene because the group was so large and it would've caused a significant risk to road users and police staff.
However, the video on Reddit shows police vehicles advancing on the bikers on Fanshawe Street. One of the riders fails to start his bike as the police approach, so gets off and sprints up to an associate to catch a ride as an officer grabs his abandoned dirt bike.
"Police were aware in advance of the ride and had a number of staff monitoring the situation. The group have now dispersed," Insp Lee told Newshub.
"We have already received a number of complaints regarding the extremely dangerous driving behaviour being carried out by some of the riders. They have also deliberately smashed a police patrol car wing mirror."
The group of dirt bike riders left Ōtara on Friday morning before driving all over the city and through central Auckland. Many were videoed not wearing helmets as they rode through the streets.
"Our community can be assured that we will be following up on these matters and holding people to account for their dangerous driving," Insp Lee said.
"Police have seen a significant number of deaths on our roads over the holiday period and so we are committed to ensuring that those who are deliberately flouting the road rules and putting other road users' lives at risk are held accountable."
There are no reports of anyone arrested over the motorcyclists' actions so far.
