Mt Smart Stadium has apologised and police say they are investigating after a person was hospitalised during a clash among spectators at the NZ Kiwis v Mate Ma'a Tonga test on Saturday night.
A video posted on social media showed three men with Tongan flags climbing from the stands towards a corporate box. Two men attempted to force their way inside the box before another threw a chair at one of the glass windows, causing it to crack.
The incident left fans nearby fearing for their safety, as the two groups exchanged projectiles.
"[It began] in the upper level and then the VIP area," a witness told Newshub.
"Someone threw a bottle from there and hit a little girl in the lower level where we were seated.
"The family of that little girl and the Tongans thought it was from [the] VIP area so they [started] yelling and climbing and it escalated from there."
Others on Facebook described the incident as "terrifying" and said multiple people were wounded by flying objects.
"The group of guys above section 13 started throwing bottles and glasses down into the crowd sitting in section 14, endangering small kids and families," one said.
"I saw a bottle come hurtling towards my nine-year-old daughter… I covered her with my body and got bottled in the head. People were getting hit from the bottles and cans - some of these drinks were full," another said.
"Guys from the stands below rushed up to try stop the ones inside the boxes. Why were glass bottles being sold at the stadium?"
Responding on Facebook, Mt Smart Stadium issued an apology to those affected and blamed people in the corporate suites for instigating the attack.
"We are extremely sorry that you and others were impacted by this incident which was initiated by patrons within one of the corporate suites," it said.
"We can assure you all the matter is being taken very seriously. Those involved have been identified and police are involved."
Furthermore, it promised to review both the incident and its current glass policy.
"We have always allowed glasses and glass bottles in our indoor corporate areas. This will be reviewed going forward in light of this incident as the safety of our patrons is of fundamental importance to us."
In a statement to Newshub, police confirmed they are making enquiries, following a report of an assault in a corporate box at Mt Smart Stadium.
"One person was transported to Auckland Hospital with moderate injuries," a spokesperson said.
"Police will be undertaking a number of enquiries in the coming days, including interviewing witnesses."
If anyone with information is asked to contact Police via 105 and quote event number P051033091. Alternatively, people can call the Auckland Crime Squad on 09 302 6557.
