A 17-year-old has been charged following a chaotic party in Auckland late last month that resulted in four people being hospitalised.
According to a report by Stuff, the incident took place on March 27 at a property on Phyllis Street in Mt Albert, believed by neighbours to be a short-term rental. According to reports, between 70 and 100 people were at the gathering when violence broke out, including a group arriving armed with machetes.
During the disorder, a vehicle was allegedly driven toward a crowd of partygoers, injuring two people. Two others were hurt at different points during the night.
Emergency services responded to the scene, with a Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirming that four individuals were transported to Auckland City Hospital. Three sustained moderate injuries, while one was in a serious condition, Stuff has reported.
According to Stuff, police said on Wednesday that a 17-year-old male had been arrested and charged with multiple offences, including wounding, aggravated assault, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, and being an unlicensed driver. He is due to appear in the Auckland Youth Court.
Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said investigations are ongoing. “Inquiries remain ongoing to identify others involved and hold them to account for their behaviour,” he said. “If you have any information that you believe could be helpful, please contact police.” “I want to reassure people that we are working as hard as we can to get to the bottom of what happened,” he said, Stuff has quoted.
Local residents have raised concerns about the use of short-term rental properties for large gatherings. Phyllis Street resident Rosemarie Powell described the incident as part of a wider issue.
“It is cheap and easy for teenagers to book this property for one night to have a house party that, as demonstrated last night and many times before, can get quickly out of hand,” she told RNZ. “Neither the landlord nor the people booking the house have connections with the neighbourhood and community, there is no oversight or accountability if there is underaged drinking or drugs being consumed,” as quoted by Stuff.
Powell added that those involved often leave without facing consequences within the community.
According to Stuff, another neighbour, Anna McKessar, said similar events had occurred in the past, causing damage in the area. “turned into this massive thing” she said, referring to previous parties that damaged cars and fences.
“It’s pretty upsetting for neighbours, and the person that owns those properties has never shown up, never apologised, and shown no remorse,” McKessar said, Stuff has quoted.
ISSUE
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