Arrests after Northland dirt bike confrontation escalates

Three people have been arrested after a confrontation involving dirt bike riders and residents of a Northland township last month.

Police said the investigation had been underway since the night of the incident on June 25 in Mahuta, southwest of Dargaville.

Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom said residents encountered dirt bikes doing burnouts and being disruptive.

"A dispute occurred between some residents and riders when they were asked to leave the area, and these requests were ignored."

The groups then went their separate ways, however Nordstrom said the incident escalated when a group returned to the area.

"Two people arrived at the driveway of a property and were allegedly carrying firearms at the time."

No firearms were discharged but police were contacted and attended the scene.

Nordstrom said inquiries resulted in five search warrants being carried out last week.

"Three people were arrested, with three firearms also being seized as part of our inquiries. Those firearms included a shotgun and two rifles."

Nordstrom said the investigation was continuing and was "by no means over".

"There is no place for violence or intimidation in our community, and if this does occur expect police to be paying you a visit."

A 36-year-old man has since appeared in the Whangārei District Court on a charge of intentional damage and a firearms offence.

He has been remanded in custody to reappear on July 28.

A 32-year-old woman also appeared in court on a charge of behaving threateningly.

Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man is due to appear in the same court next week on two driving offences.