A Gang Conflict Warrant, giving police extra powers after a string of shootings, remains in place in Levin, a town that was also this year the unwitting host of a boy racer invasion.
Behind the negative headlines though, residents and people who work in and visit the Horowhenua centre of about 20,000, say it has plenty to offer.
When RNZ visited the bustling main road through the town this week it was hard to believe it was the scene of the King's Birthday Weekend trouble, when 1000 people blocked the road as 200 cars did burnouts and police responded in riot gear.
And just a few minutes' drive away, there's been a string of shootings amid tension between the Nomad and Mongrel Mob gangs.
A world away from that life, sitting in the sun and waiting for his wife, is John Mullane.
"At our age it's pretty good actually, quite nice and comfortable," the octogenarian said about his home of 15 years.
"Where I live everything's in walking distance, but the shopping's not so good. [I go to] either Paraparaumu or Palmerston North sometimes."
Mullane enjoyed the golf courses in the area.
He said he'd seen tyre marks from boy racers, but hadn't come across any gang trouble.
That's a common refrain.
"Well I heard about them, but I think it's because it's in that circle, not in the circle of most normal people," Janine Nepia said about a conflict well removed from her.
Browsing books were Bev and Peter Kelly - life members of the Horowhenua Vintage Car Club.
"We used to be the librarians, but we got old so we had to pull out of that job," Bev said.
The pair are in a rest home now, so no longer have their classic cars. At one point they had 15 - Triumphs, Fiats and Austins.
Residents said a walk up the hilly Trig Walkway or a stroll around Lake Horowhenua were popular pastimes, although nobody could swim there due to the poor water quality.
The improved roads north of Wellington also make access to the capital city easy. It takes just over an hour. In the other direction, Palmerston North is about 35 minutes away.
Darren Beach recommends Levin's hospitality scene. Photo: RNZ
Cadillac Tattoo owner Darren Beach said the town was mostly quiet and had a good sense of community.
He recommended the hospitality scene.
"We've got nice cafes, local restaurants and bars. We've got the Cossie Club, which is good for pool and things like that - cheap handles."
Travel guides said the Levin Adventure Park was the town's number one spot.
Ruth Bastet and Flynn, who turned four this week, are regular visitors to its bright play equipment.
"Flynn and I come here every week and go to the playground. He loves it here," Bastet said.
"The adventure park's been here for many years. I lived in Levin for quite a while. My kids grew up here.
"I just said to Flynn, 'It needs repairs', because he was worried about the mousewheel. It's not working."
Bastet now lives in nearby Waitārere Beach.
Bonnie Crighton says she stayed home for a while after the shootings because she didn't want to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Photo: RNZ
Bonnie Crighton, 80, was out busking on her keyboard. Her favourites included Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
"It's comfortable. Everything's here that I want - hairdressers, grocery shops. You name it, it's all here," she said.
Recently though, she had stayed away from her usual spot.
"The shootings lately have put me off from coming out down to town because sometimes you could just be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
She said the cold weather played a part too.
Crighton usually pocketed about $20 for a couple of hours' work, which might go towards a bite of "bewt food" at her favourite cafe at Focal Point Cinema.
Per Gnatt says he's loved doing business in Levin for almost two decades. Photo: RNZ
Levin Mall Lotto owner Per Gnatt lives south of Levin, but enjoys his days at work there.
He also enjoys the climate, after surviving the bracing winds of Wellington.
"I've been doing business here for 18 years and I love it. There's a wide variety of people, but it's a real community.
"Look at the success of the library next door, which is a great community spot. And people care about one another. We have some real identities around this place."
While not affected by this year's trouble, he said he'd heard all about it.
"My colleague was woken at some ungodly hour last week by gun shots. It's very unpleasant and unsettling for people. Day by day it doesn't affect us.
"We all saw the skid marks on the intersection, so we're aware these things happen."
Although that Gang Conflict Warrant remains, police have said this week that tensions in the town were easing.
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