UPDATED: 10:15 am

Five people have been seriously injured after a group shot at each other and fighting broke out in Whangarei last night.

All five people were taken to Whangarei Hospital after being shot.

An employee at a Mobil petrol station that backs on to Clark Rd in the suburb of Kamo said his colleagues saw people shooting at each other from cars yesterday evening.

He said the group were on an empty section behind the Kamo Rd shops where the petrol station is.

A Clark Rd resident, who did not wish to be named, said he believed the shooting started near the Kamo Vets on the corner of Carlton Cres and Kamo Rd.

He said the Kamo Rd end of Clark Rd was blocked off by police this morning.

Northern Advocate reporter Mikaela Collins said police had cordoned off a house at 53 Clark Rd and the driveway of the neighbouring 55.

The rental property was believed to have been occupied by a gang member.

One woman said she heard people shouting and arguing last night, people fighting and a man crying, so she called the police. She said the occupants had not been at the address long.

Four of the injured people were found on the property and the fifth on a neighbouring property. Other neighbours said they heard a commotion from the property last night, but didn't think too much of it as there was often plenty of noise coming from the house.

A resident, who did not want to be named, said she did not hear any gunshots, but plenty of noise coming from the house. She said the house was known to have loud parties and the occupants or their friends often did burnouts on the street.

One man from the road, who was not at home last night, said as soon as he heard their had been a shooting in the street he said he 'knew straight away" where it had happened.

He said the street was normally fairly quiet, but the house where the shooting happened was the exception with people coming and going throughout the day.

Three of the injured people were operated on overnight and a fourth person is awaiting surgery.

The fifth person has since been flown to Auckland Hospital and is undergoing surgery.

Police were called to Clark Rd in Kamo about 10.30pm.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie said police are speaking to people involved.

"A scene guard has been in place overnight and an examination will be carried out today."

Whangarei Mayor Sheryl Mai said she was "dismayed" to hear about the shooting.

"We feel for the families, friends and community of the people caught up in this. The police are managing the situation and I don't expect to have any information until later today."

Sally Wilson, principal of Kamo Primary School, which is near Clark Rd, said she was aware of the shootings but there was no immediate concern as it happened last night and was being managed by police.

"At this stage all children are at school, safe and present. It's a very safe and happy day."

Anyone who witnessed anything of interest is asked to contact Whangarei police on (09) 430 4500, or give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Whangarei shootings:

- John Henry Harris, known as John Boy, died after being shot in the chest, north of Whangarei in October last year. The 37-year-old was a patched member of the Tribesman Motorcycle Club.

- Moses Noor Mahanga, 25, a Head Hunter gang member, was fatally shot in Otangarei, also in October last year.

-A man shot at Whangarei police on August 26 last year.

- NZ Herald