Four arrested, weapons seized after dispute

A rifle and a chainsaw have been seized and four people are in custody after a neighbourhood dispute turned ugly in the Waikato town of Te Awamutu last night.

The dispute had been simmering for some time before it boiled over with people fighting at a house in McGarry Lane, police said.

Police said they were first alerted about 5.35pm after a report that 15 people were fighting.

"However, on their arrival those involved had dispersed and the occupants of the home were uncooperative with no party willing to make a complaint and no witnesses willing to speak to our staff," said Sergeant Warren Shaw of Te Awamutu police.

He said the dispute involved people at two houses on the street and their associates.

Mr Shaw said less than four hours later the dispute flared up again when one of group pulled up in a car outside the other group's home, allegedly armed with a variety of bats, an axe, chainsaw, rifle and handsaw.

Police were called but the car had driven off before they arrived.

Members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) were called in to assist and cordons established to enable both houses to be searched.

"As the AOS secured the first address local police spotted the vehicle of interest on a nearby street and all the weapons bar the firearm were recovered," he said.

When police searched one of the houses they found drugs.

Two people from the house and two of their associates were arrested on firearms charges. One was also charged with possessing cannabis.

They were due to appear in the Te Awamutu District Court later this month.

- NZPA