“There is no place for this unsafe behaviour on our public roads.”
A participant described the incident as “just a casual weekend with some mates” at the local skid spot affectionately known as “Deadly Hedley” – Hedley Pl, a residential street in Raumanga.
He said despite the man’s failure to hold on to the ute tray, he was not seriously injured.
“He got up, walked away from it with just a buggered back and scrapes down the arm.”
The participant acknowledged the risks involved, but said there has never been a “major crash” or “injury” linked to skids at the popular street.
Skids, also known as doughnuts, involve a driver deliberately causing a vehicle’s tyres to lose traction while driving in tight circles.
It’s illegal to perform skids on public roads in New Zealand, and drivers face fines, vehicle impoundment and charges for sustained loss of traction.
The participant said skid penalties were out of proportion to the offence.
“I don’t see why ‘skids’ are made out to be the worst thing people can do as a group.
“The skid cars when caught get impounded, pink stickered and you go to court and most likely lose the licence for 12 months.
“If you get caught drink driving, you get someone to grab the car for you, you go to court and can get community service. The justice system doesn’t make sense when you compare the two.”
He said the group tries to keep the area tidy, always removing the debris from the road, and have developed a strong sense of camaraderie.
“The Whangārei skid community gives me a feeling of ‘family’ and the love shared between us all is unmatched.
“Sort of like how people like to drink on a Friday just because it’s a Friday, we go for a skid on a Friday because it’s a Friday.”
The footage prompted a wave of reaction online, with many commenters treating the incident light-heartedly.
“Mans in the next postcode,” one person wrote.
“Too much Red Bull gave him wings,“ someone else said.
Another person joked the man had received an impromptu schooling in the laws of motion.
“Someone just learnt about Newton’s first law. Welcome to Physics 101,” they wrote.
However, not everyone sees skids as harmless fun.
Similar gatherings have drawn criticism in communities around New Zealand, where locals have raised concerns about the noise, danger, and road damage.
Last year, Mamaku residents complained about late-night skids in the township, saying the activity was a persistent source of disruption for the community.