The Police Minister has praised the work of Gisborne police as they took control of a fatal mass brawl during a birthday party that killed two and critically injured three, blaming the incident on the country's "permissive environment".

About 100 people were involved in the massive fight on Lytton Rd in Elgin after two gatecrashers arrived at a 21st birthday party. A man will be in court this afternoon in relation to the brawl, Police Detective Inspector Dave de Lange told Newstalk ZB he will be up on charges of wounding with intent.

The incident occurred around 11.30pm on Saturday, the fight spilled out on to the street and additional police staff as well as the Armed Offenders Squad were called in for back-up.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell was asked on Mike Hosking Breakfast what the incident said about New Zealand and whether it was simply uncivilised nonsense. Mitchell was quick to address the climate of criminal activity.

"I think it's part of what we've seen over the last few years - people feel they can operate in a permissive environment where nothing is going to happen - they think they can do things with impunity," he told Hosking.

"We've seen an increase in violent crime, a 33 per cent increase in violent crime and I think that's a flow-on."

Mitchell said police on the eastern coasts of the North Island, in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay have policed gang activity in the regions very effectively, but reassured that he understood the incident was by no means a gang dispute of any kind.

He said the actions of local police was outstanding, officers did a full station call-out and got control of the incident "very quickly". He said local staff also tried to assist the two victims.

"But they were obviously too far gone, and now we've got three people in hospital in critical condition. So an awful situation, very unsettling for the community."

Police confirmed to Newstalk ZB this morning that the incident involved gang members, but the issue was not over a gang matter - rather it escalated from two people arriving at the event who were not invited, one of the unwanted attendants was carrying a knife.

Commenting on the discourse was Gisborne councillor Colin Alder who said gangs in the region were currently in talks over various issues, which ruled out the possibility they were in any war of sorts.

He said the Saturday night incident was an unfortunate event fuelled by alcohol and possibly drugs, but dismissed the suggestion it was part of a deeper underlying issue within Gisborne.

"We do definitely have an increase in gang presence in the country and in a situation like this, I'd like to encourage the gang leaders to keep talking...there is no future going down this path.

"There's a very strong police presence and again, I would say the gang leaders are talking, hopefully they can keep doing that."

The risk of retaliatory attacks was always considered by police, Mitchell told TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning.

"It’s obviously an awful finish to what was a family celebration" so people’s focus should be on supporting family who were mourning.

"Any thoughts of retaliation should disappear immediately."