Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police say they are invoking new powers to help dial down tensions between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.
Police have invoked the Gang Conflict Warrant 28 times since it was first issued on 24 April.
On Tuesday last week, shots were fired at houses in Wairoa associated with Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs, police said.
They said other alleged gang-related incidents in Wairoa that had not been reported to police included assaults, vehicle rammings, other damage to cars, and threatening behaviour.
A handful of people have since been arrested on drugs charges, display of gang insignia, disorderly behaviour, aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons, and breaching bail.
Detective Inspector Marty James, district manager of criminal investigations in the Eastern District, told Morning Report the Gang Conflict Warrant enables police to search vehicles or places gang members own or use.
It is used to "enhance public safety on remove the weapons from the street. Effectively, it's a tool to suppress gang activity and enhance our community safety".
James said police need to prove there is conflict when applying for the warrant and it can be used for up to 14 days before needing to be renewed.
Since 2023, the warrant has been used a number of times with success in the district, he said.
James said most of the arrests since Tuesday related to possession of knives, knuckle dusters and weapons in general.
Since Thursday there was no more inter-gang conflict in Wairoa or Napier, he said.
On Friday mayor of Wairoa Craig Little said the flare up of violence between the rival gangs was a disgrace, after months of peace.
"There's no excuse for it happening. It's a disgrace and I really feel sorry for police officers, they're doing so well.
"They [gang members] just don't give a stuff about anyone else's safety."
Things had quietened down since the Gangs Act came into force in November, he said.
Little said in another interview with Midday Report on Monday that gang violence had been particularly upsetting during Anzac Day weekend.
"It's disappointing because here we are celebrating Anzac and with all these people sacrificing so much, these clowns are going around shooting off guns and it's just not cool at all," he said.
Little said the community are behind the new police powers.
"One hundred percent, I think it's great. The police need to get to the bottom of it, these extra powers are great. We just need to make sure the judicial system backs them up and they go through court as well," he said.
Meanwhile, the Wairoa Business Association said there's a sense of unease after two properties were shot at by gangs in the past 10 days.
Chairperson Sue Wilson said they welcome the high police presence in town, as the shootings have put people on edge.
The arrests
Two men - aged 18 and 35 - were charged with aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons in relation to an incident on Tuesday night when shots were fired at houses in Wairoa.
On Thursday night a 21-year-old man was arrested on drug and driving-related charges.
A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, and a 50-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail.
On Saturday police said a 37-year-old man was arrested and charged with prohibited display of gang insignia and 42-year-old Wairoa man has been charged with possession of cannabis.
And on Sunday police said a 44 year-old Napier man had been arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and a set of knuckle dusters were seized.
