Boy racers involved in Levin event say they 'don't condone' violence at police
Five spectators and several police officers were injured as the gathering of around 1000 people spiralled out of control on Saturday.
A woman who was spectating the event had both of her legs run over.
1News has seen footage of a young man getting hit by a skidding vehicle, badly injuring both of his legs. He is currently unable to walk and is awaiting surgery.
The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured.
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This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching.
Several officers were injured after being pelted with rocks, bottles, and struck by fireworks as they worked to break up the gathering.
Two boy racers – who did not want to be identified on camera – told 1News they took part in the skidding but left when police showed up with riot shields.
"Half of the people that were shooting fireworks at the cars and creating that violence towards police don't even have a skid car there, they're just spectators,' one boy racer told 1News.
He claimed the leader of the 2025 Levin invasion ended up 'in the cells'.
Ten people have been arrested in relation to the event, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said more are likely.
'Could have been a lot worse'
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Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have both condemned the illegal street activity in Horowhenua.
The Police Commissioner described those who took part as 'menaces and morons', while Mitchell referred to those involved as 'moronic bloody idiots'.
"Two of my colleagues were injured last night by fireworks. It could have been a lot worse," Chambers said.
"These idiots were intentionally targeting our police officers and firing skyrockets at them, including bottles, rocks. I think there were a couple of idiots that had tomahawks," Mitchell added.
'I'd rather not live than stop skidding'
The boy racers say they love to skid but want somewhere to do it safely – without the violence.
"We don't mean to piss off the community. We really don't because we're part of the community," one of the boy racers told 1News.
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"I'd rather not live than stop skidding."
The other of the two young men said they've tried to get skid pads "but the government keeps saying that we can't get one 'cause we've got no registrations or warrants on our cars".
After 1News pointed out that it was the law to have registrations and warrants on vehicles, he was adamant he would continue to skid.
"We're still out here dong it anyway," he said.
"Would they rather the streets get teared up or a skid pad?"
Two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers.
The changes will be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025.
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