Three males - one as young as 13 - were stabbed in a gang-related fight in Melville, Hamilton, last night.

The fight erupted outside the Bader St shops about 6.15pm and the victims suffered varying degrees of injury.

Detective Senior Sergeant Karl Thornton of the Hamilton CIB said the trio were taken to Waikato Hospital.

"Two of the trio discharged themselves overnight while the third male underwent surgery and is currently in a serious but stable condition.''

Thornton said the colour of the clothing worn by the two groups appeared to have been the catalyst for the attack.

A large number of police stayed in the area overnight investigating the fight.

Members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad stormed a Norrie St house this morning searching for people and evidence related to the incident.

"The property was secured without incident and a man is currently being interviewed in relation to what happened,'' Mr Thornton said.

Three vehicles parked outside had been searched by police, while other detectives documented items of interest.

Neighbours said armed police surrounded their house about 7.30am and cordoned the area for about an hour, leaving some commuters stranded.

Mr Thornton encouraged those involved in what happened to come forward and urged anyone with any information on last night's events to contact Police.

Police want to speak to anyone in the Bader St area at the time of the attack who may have witnessed what happened or who may have seen groups of youths congregating in the area. People can contact Mr Thornton at Hamilton central police station on 07 858 6200.