Ten police from the national headquarters in Papua New Guinea have arrived on Kiriwina Island in the remote Trobriand archipelago following a deadly clash on the Island on Monday.
Twenty-two people are understood to have been killed with many others injured.
Local leaders say tensions arose between two groups last month, following two deaths at a soccer match.
There are many layers to the conflict, including political division.
RNZ Pacific journalist Lydia Lewis spoke to Māni Dunlop.
