Footage has emerged of illegal street racing at a car meet in Hamilton where several people were run over, sparking concern from road safety campaigners.
The car meets, often done late at night, see hundreds of people gathered around watching cars do burnouts, donuts and drifting.
One clip filmed at an intersection in Hamilton earlier this month shows a woman in a grey hoodie get flipped over, as the rear of a car comes spinning past her.
Meanwhile, other vehicles can be seen driving through the crowds and knocking people off their feet.
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The car meet, known as "The Hamilton Invasion", took place at the intersection of Te Rapa Road and Eagle Way on April 13.
More than 100 onlookers were standing on the road filming cars as they spun out of control.
Road Safety Campaigner Geoff Upson said illegal street racing and burnout meet-ups has become a reckless activity where "people are just getting injured".
"We've got racetracks. We've got drag strips," Upson said. "There are lawful ways to enjoy motor vehicles, and it's cheap enough."
Upson said street racing is nothing new and he did it himself at a young age.
"I used to participate in these types of events, but never to the level of anybody getting hurt or crashing cars. More just from a social point of view," he told Newshub.
"I remember we did a cruise. Me and my mates drove from Auckland to Hamilton to do a social meet-up. Police were everywhere, so we didn't really do any racing. We just met up to show each other our cars and brag about how cool they were."
"When I was 16 it was the coolest thing ever," he said.
He said street racing where people are getting injured shouldn't be happening.
"If you enjoy cars, get into motor sport," he said. "Do it properly, whether that be motocross or racetracks.
He said people in Hamilton and Auckland have access to Hampton Grounds to legally street race.
"We just need to promote that, and make these young people understand you can do it legally and safely," he said. "We need to try and encourage that."
"I don't know how we stop the dumbassery that's coming with the car enthusiasts."
Upson said in some instances, street racing can "often come with violence".
"It's often a small minority, but it shouldn't be happening. I do think that needs more police attention."
Road safety campaigner Greg Murphy said he has "no sympathy" for those hit by street racers.
"They are not victims. If they were there and participating, they knew what they were getting themselves into," he said.
"ACC should not be paying for their medical bills either."
He described the burnouts as "an epidemic" where "people know there are no consequences".
"Unless police catch them in the act with their wheels spinning, there's nothing they can do."
"We need to bolster the law, take their cars away permanently, not just for 30 days," Murphy stressed.
"Make participation, just being there, a crime."
A man who attended the meet spoke with Newshub said one woman was concussed after being hit by a car but she "came around just fine" and didn't need to be hospitalised.
He also said "around six or seven people were hit" at another point.
The event that took place was known as "The Hamilton Invasion" amongst car enthusiasts, the man told Newshub. Attendees included cars and people from all over the North Island.
Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate expressed her disappointment following the event.
"Unfortunately we are seeing this reckless behaviour throughout New Zealand," she told Newshub.
"This is scary to watch and I am concerned for people’s safety. Along with serious safety concerns, it is also not fair on ratepayers, who end up paying for the damage.
"We work closely with the police to deal with any issues as they come up. Skidding and burnouts are illegal behaviour and if anyone sees it happening, we advise them to contact the police in the first instance.
"One method Council can use to help deter street racing and burnouts is a Light Vehicle Ban in specific streets via the Traffic Bylaw, which helps the police with any enforcement."
The ban sees cars, utes and vans banned from the street between 9pm and 4am unless they are "legitimately accessing a business or home on that street".
Southgate said the ban has been implemented in some industrial streets following "detailed consultation with business and property owners".
"Through our partnerships with police, community groups, and funding from central government, Hamilton is working hard to improve safety in the city," she said.
"I will continue to raise this with the Government to enhance safety outcomes in our community and region."
Newshub has contacted police for comment.
