Police have arrested six gang members and associates following continuing tension between the Head Hunters and Black Power gangs in Northland.
Police are disappointed with gang leaders' response to an escalation in tension in Northland. Photo:
Shots were fired at a house and vehicle in broad daylight in Raumanga, a suburb of Whangārei, earlier this month.
Police said they have executed search warrants at six properties this week, resulting in six arrests.
Four of those arrested are Black Power gang members or associates, while two associates of the Head Hunters have also been arrested, police said in a statement.
A shotgun, ammunition and a small quantity of drugs were recovered during the searches.
Five people are facing drugs or firearm-related charges and have already appeared or are due to appear in the Whangārei District Court, while the sixth person has been given a pre-charge warning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry from the Northland Organised Crime Unit said gun violence and gang tensions have no place in the community and police have zero tolerance with this type of offending, which saw firearms discharged in broad daylight.
"Fortunately no one was harmed in these incidents but it could've been much worse."
He said several people have been spoken to but they have been unwilling to provide information.
"We know there are multiple people out there with information about these matters and we urge them to do the right thing and come forward to police."
He added that the offenders have shown they have no regard for the safety of their community by their willingness to use firearms in public.
"We understand tensions remain high between these gangs and we have tried to engage with senior gang leaders, however, we have been very disappointed by their lack of engagement and unwillingness to take responsibility for de-escalating the tensions between these gangs, which is putting the wider public at risk."
He said police would continue to work with community leaders as part of their efforts to keep the community safe.
Information can be provided anonymously to police via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.