Four people were hospitalised after young people were reportedly attacked in Phyllis Street, Mount Albert on Friday 27 March, 2026.
Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
A young person seriously injured after violence broke out at a party remains in hospital after surgery, and police say the incident was isolated, but neighbours say it’s an ongoing issue that needs to be tackled.
Teenagers ran for their lives when trouble broke out on Phyllis Street in the Auckland suburb of Mt Albert shortly before 10pm on Friday.
A vehicle drove towards partygoers, injuring two people, and two others were injured during wider disorder. Some reported that partygoers were attacked with machetes.
‘I was really worried’: Local recounts Mt Albert party violence that sent four to hospital
Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said some of what unfolded at the party was unacceptable: “I want to reassure people that we are working as hard as we can to get to the bottom of what happened.
Broken glass is on the corner of Springleigh Ave and Jerram Street.
Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
“This behaviour won’t be tolerated in our community, and investigators are working diligently to identify those responsible and hold them to account for their actions.”
Police understood there was frustration and concern surrounding the incident, among the community, but the incident appeared to be isolated, Darvill said.
However neighbours said problems with out of control parties in the small street were ongoing.
Short term stay house creating problems, neighbour says
Neighbours have told RNZ the house the party was held at on Friday is listed on short-stay accommodation platforms, but said previous efforts to highlight ongoing disruptions connected with parties at the property – and another next door – had been unsuccessful.
Rosemarie Powell
Photo: RNZ /Jessica Hopkins
Phyllis Street resident Rosemarie Powell said locals had raised the problems with local MPs and other authorities, and asked for measures making landlords more accountable, but nothing had changed.
“Our emergency services having to clean up these problems – you know, young people getting really hurt – these are all the symptoms of something that’s much broader that needs to be dealt with, and I think that’s landlord accountability for short-term rental,” Powell said.
“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.
“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.
“No one has to face their neighbours on the street the next day, and noone cares about the many small children who live on the street. Not to mention the very real and demonstrable risk the young people are exposed to who attend these gatherings.”
Broken glass is on the corner of Springleigh Ave and Jerram Street.
Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
The ongoing situation was frustrating, she said: “It does create a real lack of security in the short run.”
And in a city where there was a housing shortage it chafed doubly so: “In the long run it’s also just a waste of a home that could be housing a family.”
Powell said she understood the landlord was a foreign businessman who owned a number of properties across the city.
“These properties are essentially land banking, and are not in any way supporting local housing and accommodation needs. Some families have lived in these homes from time to time, but the long-term rent is too expensive for them. We have great local schools, sports teams etc. Close to supermarkets, public transport.
“These houses could provide a home for a family who would benefit from and contribute to the neighbourhood. Instead they are used to land bank, and as a venue for completely unaccountable parties that turn violent.”
Lack of regulation and enforcement for properties available for short-term rental was the underlying problem, she said.
“It is not acceptable that landlords can get away with accepting short-term bookings without any background reference, or proof of age for example, and oversight and responsibility for what happens on their property.”
Anna McKessar
Photo: RNZ / Jessica Hopkins
Another neighbour, Anna McKessar, earlier told RNZ incidents that spilled out of previous parties at the properties had “turned into this massive thing”, and included damage to cars and fences in the street.
“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.
Powell hoped the latest incident would spark broader investigation and discussions on the issue, “so that we can help to hold landlords and the wider system accountable to help reduce harm in the future.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Darvill said police want to hear from anyone with footage from the event, or who had not yet spoken with police.
Information can be provided by calling police on 105 or visiting their Update Report page online at 105.police.govt.nz and quoting file number 260328/8294, while information could also be reported anonymously, through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or on their website.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.