Eight men initially taken into police custody have been moved to hospital in Palmerston North after taking an unknown drug.
The police were called to the central city just before 4am today and found the men seriously ill.
They were initially taken into police custody but were then taken to hospital.
Police say they are trying to find out what the drug was and where it came from.
Senior Sergeant Steve Crawford said taking substances without knowing the source can be life threatening.
