Police around Gisborne are on high alert following an incident last night that left two people dead and three seriously wounded

A large altercation, believed to have involved up to 100 people on Elgin's Lytton Road, ended in tragedy.

Initial indications suggest it happened at a 21st birthday party attended by a large number of family members, and two uninvited guests.

A 30-year-old man's in a critical condition, and a 21-year-old and 45-year-old man are in a serious but stable condition; they're believed to have stab wounds.

Speaking from Gisborne, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says this, without a doubt, will have an impact on the community.

Mr Mitchell says the country's seen too much violent crime involving firearms and knives and he believes the Government's fully focussed on getting on top of it.