Full Breakdown
Assault on DJ at Whitianga’s Monkey House Bar Sparks Police Investigation
7/20/2026, 9:05:11 PM
Incident at the Monkey House Bar
In the early hours of a night in Whitianga, DJ Parker was performing at the Monkey House when a group of men approached the stage, demanded the microphone and, despite her protests, “stormed” the stage. Parker said one man became argumentative when she asked him not to touch her equipment. A full can of alcohol was allegedly thrown at her, soaking both her and her gear, forcing her set to end prematurely. After staff escorted the men out, a fight broke out outside the venue; Parker’s friend and fellow performer Amber White (DJ SLAPS) was reportedly punched while trying to intervene, sustaining bone bruising to her arm. Police were called at approximately 1:30 a.m. after reports of aggressive behavior and assaults. Venue staff checked in with the victims and offered to cover any medical costs.
Official Responses
Mercury Bay Rugby and Sports Club chairman Mike Skeen confirmed awareness of an incident involving several club members and said the club will fully support the police investigation. He emphasized that the alleged conduct “does not reflect the values of our club” and condemned harassment and violence, particularly against women. The Monkey House’s Kaspur Franke described the behavior of the rugby-club members as “terrible” and praised staff for their post-incident assistance.
Criticism & Reactions
Franke expressed personal distress, noting the incident “effectively ended what was otherwise a fun night” and that she now feels “upset and shaken” about upcoming gigs. The broader community reaction highlighted concerns about safety for performers and called for accountability among club members.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We understand that a complaint has been made to the police and we will fully support them in any investigation,” — Mike Skeen, Chairman, Mercury Bay Rugby and Sports Club
- “I’ve got gigs coming up ... and I honestly don’t even want to do them because I’m just so upset and shaken by this whole situation.” — Kaspur Franke, Monkey House staff
- “It’s sad that we live in a society where you know people just want to have fun and other people want to ruin that,” — Kaspur Franke, Monkey House staff
- “Hold your mates accountable; if you see them doing something that’s messed up, call them out on it, or get new friends.” — Unattributed commentator (conclusion of article)
