A police officer has been bitten by a man during a disturbance at a Gisborne house.
Police were called to the Dalrymple Road house about 8.20am today where they were set upon by a 26-year-old man, Senior Sergeant Maui Aben says.
The man threatened police, before punching one officer in the face and biting his neck and leg.
The bites had broken the skin and the officer was treated at Gisborne Hospital before being released.
The man was arrested and was due to appear in Gisborne District Court on Thursday afternoon.
The attack followed two gang-related incidents in Hawke's Bay.
On Wednesday afternoon, a tourist was robbed in Wairoa by a group of boys wearing gang colours.
The 21-year-old woman was surrounded by 10 boys aged between 12 and 16 who demanded her cigarettes, said Senior Sergeant Tony Bates.
They grabbed the cigarettes and the group ran off.
The boys were apprehended by police a short time later, and had been referred to the Youth Court and Youth Aid, depending on their ages.
On Sunday, a 24-year-old Napier man was stabbed while walking home about 2am.
Police believe the victim may have been mistaken for a gang member by a rival gang because of the colour of clothing he was wearing.
The victim suffered damage to his bowel and stomach and broken ribs, but police are hopeful he will make a full recovery.
NZN