Warning: This story contains details some readers may find disturbing.
The artist who painted a mural featured in a horrific video showing a group of young girls being viciously beaten says she's shocked and saddened by the attack.
The video, which was posted on social media, was filmed on King Street in Pukekohe.
In the video, a group of three young girls can be seen pinned up against the wall with three attackers - who are also young girls - standing in front of them.
One of the girls is kicked in the shoulder by one attacker before another repeatedly punches a different victim in the head.
One of the victims can be heard saying, "I'm sorry" as the horrific violence continues.
One of the attackers then moves toward the two girls, who back off and move out of shot. As the video continues, one of the suspects drags one of the girls by the hair with the young victim saying, "Stop please, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry".
The suspect starts punching and kneeing the young girl in the head and also pulling the girl's hair.
The video was filmed in front of a mural which was recently painted as part of a beautification project in Pukekohe.
Its artist Brigita Botma said the mural was about community, respect and harmony and it's incredibly disheartening to see a violent attack happening right in front of it.
"The mural was designed with the theme of community spirit and respecting each other/our environment in mind," Botma told Newshub. "The title of the mural is actually 'Harmony' so it's very disheartening to see something that is the exact opposite being played out in front of it."
She said her "heart breaks" for the girls being attacked.
"A lot of my recent work has been focused primarily on respect and community and to see this happen not only against this wall but also in my community is truly shocking.
"My latest mural in the works is actually primarily focused on the idea of raising children in our towns and how 'it takes a village...' to create a safe space for our youth and give them the best start to life so it hits hard in that respect too."
Botma said she hopes the video helps spark change and puts an end to this type of behaviour.
"I hope we as a community can find effective prevention measures for this type of behaviour and stop it from ever happening again," she said.
It's not the only video to emerge showing young girls being viciously attacked. Another video, that was sent to Newshub, shows a young girl in a school uniform being beaten outside Pukekohe North Primary School.
In the video, the attacker can be heard saying, "Grab that bitch because I know if I end up hitting her". The attacker then lashes out smashing the young girl in the face several times before kicking her.
The suspect throws several more punches before pulling the young victim's face and head down and driving her knee into the girl's head.
People can be heard in the background saying, "Leave her alone" and at least one person attempts to separate the offender.
Counties Manukau South Area Commander Inspector Joe Hunter said police are aware of footage of the two vicious two assaults.
"We are extremely concerned by the violence shown in the videos and we ask the community to cease sharing them any further," Inspector Hunter said.
"Police are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to both matters, and we are supporting the victims and their families.
"We are also working with our community and our partner agencies who hold a key role in the wider response due to the age of those involved in the offending."
Insp Hunter said the public can be assured police are taking the attacks very seriously.
"Enquiries are ongoing and it has been established that a majority of the offenders are involved in both incidents," he said.
Police encourage anyone with information to call 105, referencing file number 221001/8913. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Pukekohe North Primary School principal Jim Stafford-Bush told Newshub the pupils involved in the attack outside the school aren't pupils.
Stafford-Bush said he believes they attend the local high school and "the school concerned will address the conduct of these students".
Pukekohe High School principal Richard told Newshub none of the young people in the video, either those who were assaulted or those who carried out the attack, are students of Pukekohe High School.
"Senior staff have seen the video and are aware of the names of the girls who carried out the assault. Those names have been passed on to the police," Barnett said.
Deputy Mayor of Auckland Bill Cashmore told Newshub the attacks are "terrible" and not to be condoned in any way.
