Police Minister Judith Collins says she saw children as young as six on Papakura's streets while accompanying a night police patrol of her electorate.
Ms Collins and the local Mayor toured Papakura with two officers on Friday night.
She says they came across a large group of children and teenagers who were drunk and abusive towards the police.
Ms Collins says it was very concerning to see such young children out at night, involved with youth gangs and preparing to start fights.
She says the police did a very good job of preventing violence.
