Gang members ride bikes in Ōpōtiki in June. Photo: Finn Blackwell / RNZ
Bay of Plenty MPs are split over special powers granted to police to crack down on gangs.
Police say recent shootings throughout Ōpōtiki are related to rising tensions between Black Power and Mongrel Mob.
On Sunday, a woman was shot in her car and hospitalised.
It was another in a series of shootings in the town that police believe are gang-related.
Ōpōtiki social worker Te Owai Gemmell told Morning Report she was hurt that such violent acts were occurring in her community.
"It's sad that the situation has gotten to this point. I find it really quite unacceptable and sad that somebody has been hurt.
"I wish our whānau could pull together and sort out some of the behaviour that's been happening - it's been going on for generation after generation."
Gemmell said she had seen more cops on the beat as they tried to prevent further violence between the gangs.
"It's obvious that they're present," she said. "I think that's a reassurance for the community."
Recently elected East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick said the police response in Ōpōtiki was encouraging.
"Ōpōtiki's such a wonderful town with so many fabulous things going for it, and it's such a shame that it ends up in the national media for reasons that are not so salubrious.
Dana Kirkpatrick Photo: Supplied
"I'm really pleased that police are using everything in their power to deal with this."
Police had been granted additional search powers through the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act (CAIL). The temporary warrant enabled police to freely search vehicles and properties owned by suspected gang members.
In a statement, police said they were already using those powers.
"Over the long weekend staff executed nine CAIL warrants - two at addresses and seven vehicles," Eastern Bay of Plenty commander inspector Nicky Cooney said.
"Police will continue to be out in the community, ready to respond to any unlawful behaviour by gangs and anyone who believes that they are above the law."
Kirkpatrick said the extra powers helped officers do their jobs more effectively.
"I think that the powers through the CAIL is something that is required so police can deal with these issues quickly," she said.
"If this is a power police feel is useful to them, then that's good and we need to give police the tools they need."
Waiariki MP and Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi worried police had been given too much power.
"You've got to be careful that there's not an overreach - we voted against this because we thought we would be disproportionately targeted.
Rawiri Waititi. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
"I think it's an overreach because they don't need that legislation to do the job that they do."
Waititi said police could already search properties they suspected contained firearms. He said police would be more effective if they partnered with social groups.
"Police, if they work with the community, will find it's a lot easier to deal with many of the whānau within those communities.
"We need social intervention, and police need to be able to do their jobs, but I think if we worked collectively to deal with these issues we would come out with a better result."
Kirkpatrick said there should be a balance between police action and social intervention.
"My personal perspective is that it's a mix of both - you can't do one without the other. You need to have consequences, and you need to have support services and rehabilitation."
Police said they arrested two people and seized $27,000 in cash over the long weekend.
